Take a moment in The Mark to meet and greet Artist and Writer in Residence, Tessa and Roderick MacKay.

Hear tales of their journeys, discover new ideas, and learn more about the projects they will be embarking on during their residency.

About Tessa MacKay 

Tessa’s paintings centre on representation and interconnectedness through large-scale portraiture. In 2019, Tessa’s large hyper realist portrait of Australian actor David Wenham, titled ‘Through the Looking Glass’, was a finalist for the 2019 Archibald and went on to win the Packing Room Prize. It will be exhibited at The Mark. Tessa is currently at a crossroads in her artistic practice and whilst in residency will be embarking on a journey of natural landscapes and botanic still lifes, inspired by Australian artists Marky Tonkin and Philippa Nikulinsky.

About Roderick MacKay

Roderick’s stories feature complex archetypal characters, multilayered themes, and undercurrents of socio-political commentary. In 2020, Roderick’s debut feature film, The Furnace, had its global premiere at the Venice Film Festival. In 2021, The Furnace was nominated for 5 AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) awards, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film. Whilst in residency, Roderick will continue to expand on his many existing screenwriting projects.