A Sydney law firm is boosting the creativity of its lawyers by inviting artists to use its spare offices as studio space.
An artist’s studio has been created in the office of a Sydney law firm to instil creativity in the work of its lawyers.
Curwoods Lawyers, which has been supporting emerging artists through a residency program since 2007, has a studio space dedicated to backing the work of Sydney artist Becky Gibson.
Gibson is the latest artist to benefit from Curwoods’ 12 month Artist in Residence program, after beginning her residency in the firm’s office in November of last year.
“Initially it started off on a pretty casual basis and over the years we have refined how we do it,” said Curwoods managing partner, Scott Kennedy of the program. “From day one it was set up as something that obviously ourselves and our staff would benefit from but also as a way of sponsoring artists.”
Having an artist creating work within the office has proven motivating for the firm’s employees, Kennedy said.
“Law can be a bit one dimensional,” he said. “Seeing how multi-dimensional and how differently the artists think, is something our lawyers can learn a lot from.”
He added that part of the artist selection criteria is that they will be a good fit, personality wise.
“They certainly engage with our staff, they come to our monthly drinks and we have a kid’s day once a year, so they put on art classes for the kids,” he said.
Gibson will be preparing for an exhibition of her work in the firm following the 12 month residency, where she will keep the proceeds of her work with the exception of two paintings, which the firm will sell off and donate the proceeds to charity.
