Profile... Art is Long and Life is Short

Artist Amy Joy Watson and photographer/chef Andy Nowell at home with Wally the whippet.

Artist Amy Joy Watson and photographer/chef Andy Nowell share a home with a curious whippet called Wally and an impressive, ever-rotating assemblage of art that champions local talent.

Words by Vanessa Keys.
Photos by Vanessa Heath.

From the outside, Andy Nowell and Amy Joy Watson’s home looks like any other on their suburban street: cream picket fence, a curious dog peering through the front window, a fruit tree hanging heavy over the neighbour’s fence. But walk inside and any similarities to a conventional house soon end.

The first sign you’re somewhere special is the sight of two Cassie Thring sculptures sitting on pink terrazzo plinths in the living room: one sculpture depicts the upper body of a person, all hunched over, a stream of blue tears cascading from their face. It’s utterly mesmerising. “I saw it at a SALA exhibition and knew I couldn’t leave without it,” says Amy, an Adelaide-based artist known for her joyful, large-scale sculpture work.

In the same room, there’s a Daniel-Emma sofa that once sat in the NGV, and above, two layered abstract paintings by Melbourne artist Matt Arbuckle. “I think his work is just the best,” says Andy, a photographer slash pizza chef. “I don't know much about abstract painting, but I do know it’s really f---ing hard to do well.” There are small treasures too, a beeswax bust by Adelaide sculpture artist Olivia Kathigitis sits above the fireplace, and a goat-like creature made by local artist Julia Robinson crouches in the corner.

This celebration of Australian contemporary art continues down the hallway, in the bedrooms, all throughout the light-filled dining room. Most of the artists Amy and Andy have chosen to feature in their home are local, many emerging, and the duo talk about each piece with the kind of feverish enthusiasm that you’d expect from hardcore art collectors.

But when asked how they started collecting art, the pair vehemently deny being ‘collectors’. “We just like stuff,” says Amy. Andy agrees: “When I think about art collectors, I think old money. You know, your family owns a winery and when you go to exhibitions, you buy everything before the show starts. That’s definitely not us. We’re not “investing” in art. We buy stuff because we like it. It makes our living spaces more enjoyable.”

Amy’s foray into buying art began in art school, where she’d do ‘art swaps’ with fellow students, whereas Andy’s start was a little more rough and ready. “I collected rusty, old things like pipes and cigar tins because I thought art was too expensive,” he says. Today, Amy still regularly swaps pieces with other artists, while Andy has perfected the art of the ‘skill swap’. “I’ve got art in the past by gardening, taking photographs,” he says. “You don't necessarily need loads of money to have art in your home.”

Even when it comes to purchasing art, the pair are adamant you don’t need a huge budget to support local artists. “Student art shows are full of great finds, and we love the yearly FELTspace auctions and Tarnanthi Art Fair,” says Amy. “South Sea Trading in Port Elliot, and Many Hands Art Centre in Alice Springs are also favourites.” Andy’s advice is to buy things you love, not what’s popular or trendy at the time: “If you like it, buy it. If it makes you feel good, buy it. You don’t need a reason.”

andynowellphotography.com
amyjoywatson.com