News Archive

Pods of creative writing, fine arts, music and digital media are spread out across the campus.

But they are all coming together under the banner of a new online publication, Trove .

It is the re-incarnation of a printed publication from the 1990s and early 2000s, which foundered because of lack of funding.

Now Rachael Hains-Wesson, who is nearing completion of her PhD in creative writing, has re-invented the publication, with the help of Professor Ted Snell, Director of UWA 's Cultural Precinct.

"The creative arts are located in several different buildings on the campus and those buildings create barriers," Rachael said. "But there are no barriers in the virtual world. Ted and I both agreed that online was a perfect place to bring everybody together."

The first printed publication of Trove, about 20 years ago, boasted an illustration by Shaun Tan on the cover. This latest treasure trove of student talent will encompass writing, music, sound, film, lyrics, visual art and performance.

Launched earlier this month, Trove will be published on-line twice a year by its editorial team of six students, led and mentored by a steering committee of academics and PhD candidates.

Professor Van Ikin, Associate Professor Stephen Chinna, PhD students Carol Ryles and Rachael are nurturing the editorial committee whose members come from law and commerce schools, as well as the humanities.

A playwright and former performer, Rachael teaches in the areas of online publication, theatre, performance and creative writing. "My students said they had nowhere to publish their work," she said "Westerly is more for postgraduates and established writers and hard to get into anyway.

"I showed them an old copy of Trove and they really connected with other students' work."

Rachael said the online publication was a way for creative artists to connect with each other. "A lot of people work on their own and it can be lonely. I love working with others, getting inspired by them. I'm working now with a woman in Edinburgh whom I met at a conference.

She is using film and performance to create something for Trove. Technology is great for bringing together people who are geographically far apart." She said theatre was using more technology now to the point where it had almost become its own genre. "I know young people who won't go to the theatre unless it is a multi-media production."

More than 40 submissions have been received for the first issue of Trove. "Most of them are creative writing, so I'll be working hard to get more film and performance and visual arts included," Rachael said.

Trove was launched with the support of the Vice- Chancellor. You can find it on the UWA website at trove.arts.uwa.edu.au

Published in UWA News , 30 May 2011