Connor Ovenden-Shaw, aka Foot, is a non-binary queer artist based in Werribee. On January 31 he’s hosting The Scrapatorium, an event centred around an exploration of waste, creativity and self-confidence at The Annex at Wyndham Cultural Centre.
He tells Cade Lucas about his life in Wyndham.
What’s your connection to Wyndham?
“I moved here in the middle of the pandemic and I chose it because it was like a regional/metro hybrid. It has a regional feel but the accessibility of a metro suburb. And then I fell in love with the art scene here. The arts are thriving here.”
What do you like about where you live?
I just think that in Wyndham you’re a stone’s throw away from every sort of experience. It’s a short drive to the beach and it’s easy to get out of Melbourne. I love to get out to little country towns so they’re easily accessible too. I also have a great relationship with Wyndham council and they’ve given me many opportunities as an artist that I may not have gotten anywhere else.”
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
“I think this happens in a lot of different places, but I’d love it if there was more acceptance of freedom of expression sometimes. There’s been steps that have been taken, but I think there’s still a bit of work to be done in that area. As a queer person I’ve had some experiences in Wyndham that are disappointing, though that’s not unique to Wyndham.”
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
“There’s a new dog park called Levington Rise that’s between Bulban Road and Wyndham Val,e which I love taking my little dachshund, Biscuit, too. It’s nice and it’s new and there’s not that much there yet so I like going there and seeing the progress of a suburb being made,. I think that’s really interesting.”
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
“I’ve never seen a Lord of Rings film all the way through. I feel like it’s a crime because everyone just assumes you’ve seen the films, but I haven’t. I’ve just never got around to it to be honest.”
