Boundary Breaking Women Gather for CURVY Conference

For the first time in Australia, Central Park, The Living Mall and multi-award winning aMBUSH Gallery, together with CURVY, will present the CURVY Creative Women’s Conference, a limited showcase of sixteen highly esteemed women in the creative sphere.

Kicking off on Thursday, 3 September, the conference will present a line-up of women who are breaking boundaries in the creative industries across the world, including Naomi Shepherd from Facebook and Instagram Australia, Katie Rigg-Smith, CEO of Mindshare, Jess Scully, Founding Director and Curator of Vivid Ideas, Elle Glass, managing editor of Russh Magazine and many more.

Featuring an exhibition, special events and panel discussions, the program will offer a two-day inspiration academy with some of the most influential creative women in art and design, fashion, film, media, photography, advertising, publicity and publishing. Both panels will be moderated by creative entrepreneur Kate Hurst.

“We are thrilled to have this incredible group of women come together in Sydney for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Hurst, director of Hurst & Co. “Personally, I am looking forward to picking their brains and learning from their experiences in the creative industries and seeing how it compares with my own experience. Audience members will gain such incredible insight to navigating the creative sphere from these truly remarkable women.”

Also part of the conference is the art exhibition at aMBUSH Gallery entitled ‘Wonder Walls’ featuring both mixed media from female creatives around the world and behind-the-scenes imagery and inspiration that fuels their creativity.

The conference is an extraordinary opportunity to gain a female perspective and take an inside look at the challenges, opportunities and trends taking shape across creative industries worldwide.

Although the names on the stage and on the walls are the who’s who of influential creative women that are breaking the boundaries of creative inspiration, CURVY has a uniquely down-to-earth, collaborative atmosphere that is highly inclusive.

All are invited to this great opportunity to rub shoulders with like-minded creative souls, make new contacts, and catch up with friend and colleagues.

CURVY Panel Discussion Line-up:
The Future of Creativity and Content 
Friday, 4 September
2:00pm – 4:00pm
If content is king, these queen bees make it buzz across influential industries of style and substance. Central to this panel are discussions around the role of creativity and content in the traditional and evolving media landscape.
Panellist line-up:
Vanessa Zuppicich - Creative Director, MTV Brand and Commercial
Tiffany Farrington - Founder Social Diary
Gemma O'Brien - Artist/Typographer
Elle Glass - Managing Editor Russh Magazine
Naomi Shepherd - Head of FMCG, Facebook & Instagram Australia
Christie Poulos - Global Head of Video, King Content 
Bec Brideson - Founder VenusComm 
Eleanor Pendleton - Founder Gritty Pretty
Kate Hurst - Creative Entrepreneur (Moderator)

The Art of Making It
Saturday, 5 September
2:00pm – 4:00pm
This panel will ask “how can creative women break boundaries and build a presence in today’s competitive creative landscape?” Covering everything from unique processes and approaches to cut through and build momentum as a female creative across industry categories. Presenting first-person accounts and ideas, the panel consists of a group of proven boundary breakers.
Panellist line-up:
Gemma O'Brien - Artist/Typographer
Katie Rigg-Smith - CEO Mindshare
Elke Kramer - Jewellery and Accessory Designer, Creative-Director
Bei Badgirl - Artist and Designer
Jess Scully - Founding Director and Curator of Vivid Ideas
Bec Brideson - Founder VenusComm
Nanami Cowdry - Artist/Illustrator
Kate Hurst - Creative Entrepreneur (Moderator)

Admission to the panels varies in pricing: a two-day general admission pass to both panels is $60, 2-day student admission is $30; for a single day pass, general admission is $30, and student admission is $20. Tickets and more information about the panels are available here. 


Wonder Walls – CURVY exhibition at aMBUSH Gallery
Thursday, 3 September – Sunday, 13 September
Each year, CURVY produces a series of highly anticipated exhibitions featuring exciting female visual artists from Australia and abroad. It is a must for anyone passionate about art, illustration, photography and fashion who wants to be inspired by a new generation of outstanding female creative talent. Now in its ninth year, the latest CURVY exhibition will launch on site at aMBUSH as part of the inaugural CURVY Creative Women’s Conference.

The show features work by a range of new guard female artists including Gemma O'Brien, Kaffeine, Bei Badgirl, Autumn Whitehurst, Edwina White, Nanami Cowdry, Elke Kramer, Elle Glass, Mel Stringer, Emma Leonard, Sylvia Ji, Yuko Shimizu plus video installations by guest panellists Vanessa Zuppicich and Christie Poulos. This mixed media show will introduce a fresh feast of female creatives via a mix of original work and reproductions, mixed media installations and a cast of leading talent. It is not to be missed.

Admission to the CURVY Wonder Walls exhibit is free.
Visit www.ambushgallery.com or search aMBUSH Gallery on Facebook for more information and event updates.