Welcome back to Off Script, On Brand. In this episode, I sit down with Jessie Rebel, an artist, storyteller, and advocate, to talk about creativity as a pathway to healing, identity, and self-discovery.

Jessi is a proud Wiradjuri person, living and creating on Wadawurrung Country. Their life has been shaped by a connection to Country and Sea Country, and both are strong influences on the works they create.

Jessi has a background as a youth/social worker and also draws a lot of inspiration from interpersonal relationships and the intersection of all things. Jessi works collaboratively in community, engaging in murals and workshops with youth and students and loves bringing other’s stories to life through art. Jessi has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Therapy and believes creativity and art has the power to heal the world, both within us and around us.

In this episode, we chat about:

Jessie’s personal and creative journey growing up Biripai Country
How painting became a tool for processing their experiences working with at-risk youth
The influence of their Aunty Lisa Evans and the lesson behind not being given a piece of their art
The moments she realised their work was growing into something bigger than they expected
Their recent season shedding shame and confusion, and feeling more expansive and aligned in their art practice
The impact of embracing their non-binary identity on their creative expression
Their artist residency in Tasmania
Reflections on why they stays in a full-time job and allows their creativity to exist without pressure

This episode is for you if:

You’re exploring your identity and want to express it more fully
You’re using (or want to use) creativity as a tool for healing or processing
You’re wondering if your “side creative passion” could become something bigger

You’re learning to trust your intuition and stop forcing your creativity

Links & Resources:

Jessi's website
Jessi's instagram

Yarrangany Exhibition: FRI 08 MAY—SAT 11 JUL

Curated by Jessi Rebel, this exhibition brings together First Nations artists from diverse countries, cultures, and nations, exploring identity as something relational and evolving. REGISTER

Work With Leslie

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