Who is Mashaka Gunnulson?
I work in festival, event and performance delivery, a self-identified creative-facilitator and art-maker. I wear a lot of hats – creative producer, director, dramaturg, studio assistant, venue + stage manager. Creative-adjacent in all forms!
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I couldn’t see myself being anything other than a creative, it’s in my blood and bones.
Who inspires you and why?
My mother – she is so very kind and so very strong, she’s worked really hard in every aspect of her life to better herself and her community. I’m proud of all that she is and does, she sees light and joy and play around every corner. My best friends also, one recently moved to the US and we’re doing the long-distance-friend-thing – they are two exceptionally talented and intelligent women with such creative drive and focus – a strong vision for themselves. Neither are people to let fear stand in their way.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Well, it’s all relative isn’t it. I think everything and anything each of us does every day makes a difference in the world. Butterfly wings. I would hope that the biggest difference I could make in the world is to learn about myself and share my own perspective, I think the greatest thing we can do as humans is learn and grow and develop our knowledge together. Community and creativity!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Warrnambool, VIC. It’s a coastal country town halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide off the Great Ocean Road, I was born there, and my grandparents live there still. It’s a place without time for me, I am perpetually youthful and youthless here – always feeling like some tumultuous age between 6 and 16 when I visit. It always smells like the sea, and always feels like home.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
In Naarm/Melbourne I would likely find some weird art, theatre or cabaret on – perhaps a live-gig or two. A lap around some iconic bars. It is a true privilege and a joy to live in a city that is constantly bubbling away with events and acts and artists.
What are you currently reading?
Addition by Toni Jordan.
What are you currently listening to?
Currently it’s Lenny Kravitz’s American Woman, but generally it’s a mixed bag – a lot of Marvin Gaye, The Floozies and Tom Waits, a little Peach PRC and D’lourdes, Scene Queen. Bo Burnham, Healy, The Gloaming.
Happiness is?
A full heart and a full belly.
What does the future hold for you?
Currently developing a handful of projects, some solo and some in collaboration with other artists and creatives, and I’m delighted to be a part of a team working on a not-for-profit arts organisation slated to launch in 2023.
Mashaka is the Director of Alistair Ward’s this moment in time – which will be presented at The Butterfly Club, Melbourne from 5 – 10 December 2022. For more information, visit: www.thebutterflyclub.com for detailos.
Image: Mashaka Gunnulson (supplied)