Published by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine
Design
Arts
Visual Arts
Hosted by industry pals Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine, this interview-style show features conversations with creatives to unravel their process, and get a glimpse into each guests unique way of thinking – all with equal parts levity and depth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Volker Haug's story starts with a spark (quite literally)! As a kid, he was so captivated by light that he'd made his first light fitting by the age of ten, and somewhere along the way managed to accidentally electrocute himself. This early obsession never really left him, even as he built a first career behind the chair as a hairdresser. In this episode, we trace his journey from the salon to founding one of Australia's most distinctive lighting studios. And along the way he shares the calling that pulled Volker toward lighting design, the mentors who shaped how he thinks, and the very humble beginnings of his business: a garage converted into a workshop that grew, organically, into the studio it is today. From there the conversation opens right up. Volker gets into why collaboration makes both design and business healthier, how travel keeps his creativity alive, and the role our senses play in memory and making – plus the strange overstimulation of modern life and how he finds calm inside it. He's a firm believer that creativity is a universal human trait, that desperate situations often spark the best of it, and that his years in hairdressing taught him more about people than any design course could. Find Volker's work at volkerhaug.com and follow the studio on Instagram at @volkerhaug - Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sarah Ellison is a Byron Bay–based creative director whose winding, capital-C creative career has taken in fashion, interior styling, magazine editorial and a furniture brand that found success on both sides of the Pacific. In this episode, we trace the full arc – from a fashion label sold at Bondi Markets, to years assisting stylists and schlepping props across Sydney in a little Suzuki Swift, to seven years as a style editor at Real Living , to launching her own eponymous furniture brand and, most recently, stepping away from it to build a slower, more sustainable studio of her own. Sarah is refreshingly open about creative burnout – the desk-bound years running a growing brand, the day she felt she'd run out of ideas, and how a few weeks off and a pottery wheel helped her bring her back. We also get into her sensory approach to design, the alchemy of past and present, working with local bio-materials, her ever-shifting take on what AI means for creatives, and the dream of a boutique hotel done top to bottom. Find Sarah's work at sarahellisoncreative.com and follow her on Instagram at @sarahellisoncreative - Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jack Lovel is a Melbourne-based architectural photographer who has spent the better part of a decade chasing light through modernist houses, and making some arresting images in Australian architecture photography. In this episode, we trace the full arc – from a first trip to Europe with a borrowed camera, to growing up in an Ivanoff-designed house in Perth, to somehow ending up in the Hamptons in the summer, photographing mid-century houses on Long Island. Jack talks about the personal project that changed everything: his decade-long documentation of the work of West Australian architect Ivan Ivanoff, which started as a modest exhibition in Perth and snowballed into a book, a Melbourne exhibition, and shows at the London Festival of Architecture, and Modernism Week in Palm Springs. Something Jack doesn’t shy away from talking about is always searching for that balance between commercial work and personal projects – and why doing the soul-feeding, non-paying stuff is what usually opens the door to exciting new projects. We also talk about patience as a skill, the fine line between loosening up and losing the plot, and why Jack will never let his work be mistaken for AI slop. Check out Jack’s work at jacklovel.com , and follow him on Instagram at @jack.lovel . --- Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Innovation” is one of those words that gets overused so much it’s starting feel devoid of meaning. Richard Walzer isn’t interested in new for the sake of it. As Design Director of Breakthrough Innovation at PepsiCo (Europe), he works in the uncomfortable space most businesses avoid – the unknown unknowns. The problems no one has defined yet, let alone solved. In this episode, Richard pulls apart what real innovation actually looks like when there’s money, scale and risk on the line. And we hate to break it to all the light bulb moment die-hards out there, but true innovation (at least for Richard) is not about eureka moments or big creative swings. It’s rigour, it’s watching what people actually do, not what they say. It’s spending most of your time making sure you’re solving the right problem, before you even think about the solution. One of the biggest creative lessons to glean from this episode is that most teams aren’t failing at execution, they’re just designing the wrong thing. We also get into the discipline behind design thinking, the myth of differentiation, and why “distinctive” is the only thing worth chasing. From sacrificial prototypes to future consumers, Richard maps out how ideas move from vague hypothesis to something that can survive the real world. This is creativity with true commerciality at its core. - Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if a home was composed like a work of art? In this ep of Creative or Dead, we speak with interior designer Susannah Holmberg, founder of Susannah Holmberg Studios ( www.susannahholmberg.com ) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Susannah approaches interior as immersive installations – spaces where art, architecture and materials intersect. We talk about her unconventional path into design, the idea that beauty might actually be a form of function, and how her studio develops personal interiors by drawing on unexpected references – from favourite films and books to travel and landscape. The conversation also explores creative process: why blocking time for deep work matters, how tension between contrasting elements can spark originality, and why handmade pieces and craftsmanship remain central to her projects. And, in our usual Creative or Dead fashion, we finish with our final question: if you could design your own death, what would it look like? Susannah’s cinematic vision involves black veils, oversized florals and a rainy green landscape. This is a conversation about creativity, craft and designing spaces that feel like living works of art. - Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Creative or Dead, we chat to Ty Symonds – a designer who thinks like an artist. Ty’s creative origin story starts in Far North Queensland, where rainforest and lace-like fungi created an unforgettable impression on his psyche. This early education in the art of observation has underpinned everything that followed: from designing textiles at Peter Alexander, to navigating big-box retail, to reshaping Country Road Homewares through collaboration and long-term thinking. This is a conversation about trusting your intuition versus over-analysing, and building impactful collaborations with a commercial mindset – all without losing your soul. We get into leadership as a creative practice, the importance of making (not just designing on screens), and why nature doesn’t believe in waste. We also jump into flow states, mermaids, and a manifesto for slowing the hell down. It’s an episode about listening to materials, to place, to your gut, and trusting that creativity will surface when you make enough space for it. Follow Ty on Instagram to stay up to date with what he's up to next. - Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this ep, we sit down with Golnar Roshan, co-founder of Amsterdam-based studio Rive Roshan, to talk art, design and what it really means to build a creative life on your own terms. Golnar traces her journey from Sydney to Europe, from visual communication student to working at Marcel Wanders, and into a sincerely collaborative practice that sits somewhere between art, design and technology. We talk about creativity as a lived practice (not just a job title), and power for work to be coupled with emotional intelligence. This episode digs into creative partnerships, making work with integrity, and holding onto empathy in a noisy, commercialised world. There’s Milan Design Week, experimental materials and politics layered with beauty. If you’re searching for conversations about creative careers, art and design practice, creativity with substance, or how to build a career without flattening yourself in the process – start with this conversation. Rive Roshan is being presented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert at Melbourne Art Fair (19-22 Feb 2026). Links See more about Rive Roshan at riveroshan.com Sub Catcher riveroshan.com/projects/sun-catcher-rive-roshan-alcova-milan-2025 Shifting Perspectives riveroshan.com/projects/shifting-perspectives Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert gallerysallydancuthbert.com Melbourne Art Fair melbourneartfair.com.au Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode (hello season three!), we chat with Viktor and James, the founders of Nasha Gallery in Sydney (Eora) to learn about building a gallery without following the rules. The guys talk about their leap from artists to gallerists, what it actually takes to run a commercial gallery and why they back emerging Australian artists who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside global talent. Expect unfiltered takes on being “brave”, how they choose artists (studio visits, taste, trust), and why transparency in the art world shouldn’t be radical – but still is. If you’re into contemporary art, creativity, art careers, gallery life, art management, collecting, or the messy reality of making a project survive, this one’s for you. Plus: there's road trip stories, a near-illegal mega-show, and two very different death designs. Check out Nasha Gallery and all their upcoming shows at nasha.com.au . Nasha Gallery is presenting James Little at Melbourne Art Fair 2026 . - Creative or Dead is hosted by Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine . Aleesha is the founder of About Futures , an independent publication on the future of sustainable design. David is a creative business builder and leader with more than two decades across branding, strategy and social impact, and sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Head of Fashion Programming at Melbourne Fashion Festival Todd Anthony joins us for a zig-zagging chat about creativity with substance. Todd traces a wonderfully non-linear path from professional Latin ballroom dancer to studying fashion design, to teaching and mentoring, to his current dream job at Melbourne Fashion Festival. Along the way we unpack a process grounded in purpose, reflection and the ever-useful post-its. He explains why the runway is very much alive, how AI can actually slow teams down in the best way, and why relationships (and kindness) are the real engine of creative work. We also talk burnout prevention, the power of daily observation rituals (including a documentary with breakfast), and the small, thoughtful easter eggs that keep personal voice in in work. Stay to the end for Todd’s delightfully dramatic, Elizabethan-tinged answer to our signature 'curate your own death' question. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Not enough people are making work with the intention of it still being around in 200 years. But Christopher Boots isn’t like anyone else. In this wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation, we hear from lighting and object designer Christopher Boots , where he sprinkles us with a bit of his magic dust creativity. And spoiler: he proves that the best ideas are marinated and well-seasoned. From scavenging childhood treasures in the backyard to sculpting monumental crystal-and-bronze chandeliers, Christopher shares how time, process and materials shape his work. Along the way, we dive into material literacy, the psychology of objects, running a creative business without losing your soul, and how there’s no shortcut for quality, time and contemplation. Show notes: Look up Christopher Boots' work here https://christopherboots.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when sharp strategy meets boundless creativity? Ren Kimber. In this episode, we sit down with the entrepreneurial powerhouse and strategic half of menswear label Christian Kimber to talk about creative partnerships, crafting a brand world and the art of taking calculated risks. Ren shares her knack for blending business smarts with creative intuition – expect insights on brand storytelling, immersive retail design and travel-fuelled inspirations. Relevant links Christian Kimber website https://christiankimber.com InteriorsAU design write-up on the new store https://architectureau.com/articles/christian-kimber-store-by-brahman-perera/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nicole Durling has never followed the rules, which might be why she’s helped reshape some of Australia’s most exciting cultural and creative spaces. In this episode, we dive deep into the role of the maker in a world hungry for meaning, the tension between art and commerce, and why craft (with a little ‘c’) is having a very big moment. Nicole reflects on the tactile joy of materials, the heft of handmade objects, and what it means to support creative practice from the inside out. She’s sharp and generous, sharing the winding path that has led her to her current role as Executive Director of Craft Victoria. We talk slow making, fast change and the very human urge to leave something behind. Links Craft Victoria: https://craft.org.au/ Artist Edmund de Waal: https://www.edmunddewaal.com/ Daniel Mudie Cunningham's Curating Grief https://danmudcun.com/criticism/curating-grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr Emma Luke is a designer, jeweller, academic and accidental VJ. She’s the head of RMIT’s Master of Design Innovation and Technology, and her work skirts at the edge of wearables, speculative tech and fine art jewellery. In this episode, we talk about designing talismans for the future, the role of intention in craft, and what it means to make magic matter – literally. Emma's story spans industrial design, the post-digital, trail running, and building community through the rave and research scenes alike. Expect philosophical tangents, a touch of techno, and plenty of thought-provoking moments on the creative process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What do rave fashion, a small Scottish village and limestone stone masonry have in common? Steven John Clark. In this episode, sculptor, furniture stonemason and founder of denHolm, Steven takes us on the winding path from sewing rave outfits on his gran’s machine to crafting heavyweight stone sculptures that can be found in galleries around the world. We talk early creative impulses, the madness of running a growing studio, the weird poetry of materials and the fuel that helps him keep pushing into unknown territory. There are stories of missed plumbing jobs, tidiness as a mantra, and the kind of 3D thinking that turns limestone into language. Pull up a chair and listen in. Links https://www.den-holm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Interior designer Beck Trenorden has spent two decades working at some of Melbourne’s most well-known design studios. But it wasn’t until she stepped out on her own – launching Versa, a studio grounded in adaptive reuse and sustainability – that she fully rewrote the rules of how she wanted to work. In this episode, Beck joins David and Aleesha to chat about building a values-led practice from the ground up. She shares the creative thinking behind Versa’s streamlined systems, the surprising power of sketching in real time, and how implementing a four-day work week reshaped both culture and output. Along the way, Beck reflects on formative experiences, growing up in a hands-on family and learning in a science shed. It’s a generous, honest and deeply human episode from a designer who sees creativity not just in the work, but in how we live. Find Versa at versastudio.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special bonus episode, Creative or Dead hosts Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine turn the mic on themselves. The friends and collaborators reflect on their own creative journeys – from childhood instincts to circuitous career paths – and how they’ve each found space for expression, experimentation and impact across disciplines. Aleesha opens up about her accidental pivot from interior design to editorship, the vulnerability of writing, and the slow-burn joy of a long-term creative project. David shares insights from his multidisciplinary practice as a creative consultant and Chief Creative Officer, including his enduring belief in curiosity, reflection, and the value of being an astute observer. Together, they touch on themes that run through the podcast’s DNA: trusting your instincts, making space for creative percolation, the messiness of opinion, and how to build a meaningful life by connecting what you're good at, what brings joy, what pays the bills – and what the world needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special bonus episode, hosts Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine step out of the studio and onto the Creative Mornings stage with Jo Hook – coach, and life designer – to talk about crossroads, creative burnout, money myths, and why designing your own death might just be the most life-affirming thing you can do. Expect laughs, some surprising existential detours, and practical gems on how to stay creatively alive (while still paying your tax return). Special thanks for Creative Mornings Melbourne, and event partner TOMS Place, Brunswick. LINKS Check out Jo's work at jo-hook.com And sign up for more Creative Mornings each month at creativemornings.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this thought-provoking episode of Creative or Dead , hosts David Constantine and Aleesha Callahan speak with Julie McLaren, an experienced curator known for her work with the Art Gallery of Ballarat and now (hot off the press!) as Senior Curator at HOTA on the Gold Coast. Julie shares candid reflections on her journey, discussing the challenges of overcoming imposter syndrome, her deep-rooted empathy and the creative process of curating. She reveals how she finds inspiration from the natural world and from meaningful conversations with artists, as well as giving us a glimpse of her personal rituals that help her maintain focus and balance. Julie’s vulnerability in speaking about burnout, the emotional weight of curating, and her approach to storytelling through exhibitions offers listeners a rare, authentic insight into the world of curation. If you’ve ever been curious or intrigued by the intersection of empathy, creativity – and the transformative role curators play in the art world – this is for you. LINKS Sweat Dreams DJs – Julie’s side project, check it out on Instagram A source of inspiration in Hans Ulrich Obrist Look up the work of Scotty So on Instagram See the work of Sassy Park Also Belinda Fox One of Julie’s final collabs at the gallery is with Ramesh Mario Nithiyendren Julie’s grandad is Ian McLaren , who’s book collection numbering at 75,000 is now at the Baillieu library in Uni Melbourne YOUR HOSTS Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus , the latter of which she was the editor between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice. David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and Internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities including the Abbotsford Convent, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Chunky Move and the Art Gallery of Ballarat. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists. CREDITS Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tune in to this episode of Creative or Dead , where David Constantine and Aleesha Callahan sit down with artist and designer Jordan Fleming, who shares her journey from interior design and cabinet-making to a solo practice creating sculptural, creature-like furniture and lighting. A.K.A. The three-legged creatures you never knew you wanted! Known for her bold, surreal forms, Jordan opens up on the topic of authenticity, instinctive creation and storytelling through her work. Jordan’s creative process is truly her own, and you’ll hear how she finds inspiration in everyday observations of beauty and serendipity. The way she approaches making, while balancing practicality with artistic expression, make this episode a thought-provoking listen for anyone curious about the edges of functional art. LINKS Check out Jordan’s website Connect with her on Instagram YOUR HOSTS Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus , the latter of which she was the editor between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice. David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and Internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities including the Abbotsford Convent, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Chunky Move and the Art Gallery of Ballarat. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists. David is Passionate about the power of creativity to move individuals and organisations. A chief creative officer, and executive creative director. Aspirant polymath. Former AGDA State President, AGDA National Board member. Long time educator, speaker, and mentor. Regular commentator and contributor to design media. Board Member, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Stonnington Art Advisory Board. Judge, Pause Awards, Judge GOTYA. CREDITS Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of Creative or Dead , David and Aleesha meet with Tom Blachford, a commercial architecture and interiors photographer and fine artist known for his bold and atmospheric works. Tom shares insights into his Midnight Modern series, which captures the surreal beauty of mid-century architecture at night in Palm Springs, as well as his recent ventures into AI-driven image creation. Known for pushing the boundaries between traditional photography and digital art, he discusses his unique approach to balancing spontaneity and structure in his creative process. He also touches on his experiences with aphantasia (the inability to visualise images in his "mind's eye"), his fascination with myths and dystopian aesthetics, and the impact of AI on the art world. This episode is for anyone interested in the future of creativity, offering a glimpse into the mind of an artist sitting smack bang at intersection of technology and art. If you’re not already familiar with Tom’s work, we highly recommend checking it out before listening in. LINKS Check out Tom’s website and Instagram The wonderful Midnight Modern – recently on show at Compendium Gallery The Lost Archive of Slender O’Kinoshi Tombo Den AI art commission – check out the Instagram page for some of Tom’s wild images Tom’s wife Kate Ballis and her incredible work Influorescence collab between Kate and Tom, check out here Take a look at Nihon Noir – and Aleesha’s particular favourite, the Nakagin Capsule Tower You can also read up on this crazy Nakagin Capsule building on Wikipedia here YOUR HOSTS Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus , the latter of which she was the editor between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice. David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists. CREDITS Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
