Who is Caroline Garcia?
I am a culturally promiscuous, interdisciplinary artist based in Sydney. I work across live performance and video through a hybridised aesthetic of cross-cultural dance, ritual practice, new media, and the sampling of popular culture and colonial imagery. I am a diasporic Filipina, professional booty shaker, meme lover, and the person who promises not to get political – and then three drinks later…
What would you do differently to what you do now?
There’s nothing that I would do differently, but to answer this question – I guess I could make more time for self-care in my practice. It’s often easy to forget to check in with yourself when you are an independent artist, juggling many projects.
Who inspires you and why?
I take inspiration from intersectional feminists, cultural bearers, diasporic and queer bodies, and of course, Janet Jackson (and other R&B queens and Fly Girls).
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think that art making is a great way to make a difference in the world. Many radical and progressive changes have been lead by artists and supported by art movements. I think it is our job as artists to respond to the world around us, and to be honest in how we deal with the cultural and political landscapes we find ourselves in. If we create with bold and clear voices, we have the capacity to inspire and incite change.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I don’t mean to be bias, but The Philippines is one of my favourite holiday destinations. Other than the fact that it is my motherland, it is an archipelago made up of more than 7000 islands. Need I say more? My tip is to get out of Manila and head to straight to the beach or the mountains in the Visayas or Mindanao!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I take them to the McIver’s Ladies Baths in Coogee. It is honestly such a magical place dedicated to serve women, where you can enjoy an ocean pool and relax on a cliff side amidst a diversity of gorgeous babes – no mans, no sands!
What are you currently reading?
All About Love by Bell Hooks.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m currently listening to the soundtrack from the HBO series, Insecure created by Issa Rae. The first season was carefully curated by Solange, and the second is just as dope, featuring tracks by SZA and Kali Uchis.
Happiness is?
Dancing for hours in the open air, good food, booze and cuddles with friends and family, swimming in the ocean, self love, taking a fire selfie, seeing the world, independence, and realizing an artwork or performance that you’ve always dreamed of doing 🙂
What does the future hold for you?
In the near future, I will be heading overseas to perform internationally and to take up postgraduate opportunities. My practice has always been research based, so it is important for me to continue making in an academic context, and I am also interested to see how my work is received internationally and to create in a politically challenging climate.
Caroline will instruct you in the bootylicious basics of dancing in Twerkshop – presented at part of the Festival of Live Art at Arts House: 14 – 18 March 2018. For more information, visit: www.artshouse.com.au for details.
Image: Caroline Garcia (supplied)