Housing crisis pushes artists to the brink … of creativity

Unable to find suitable accommodation, one local artist has come up with a novel solution.

There is no question that Australia is in the middle of a housing crisis. Alongside soaring mortgages and rents, we are also experiencing record low-vacancy rates.

Following a tip-off, ArtsHub goes in search of Aerial Manx – internationally renowned performer, sword swallower and three times Guinness World Record Holder. Since January this year, he has been building and occupying a makeshift dwelling hanging off the edge of a car park in inner Melbourne.

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Jessi Ryan (they/them) has been creating performance and exhibitions for the past 20 years, both locally, nationally and abroad- in this time collaborating with a huge number of artists from a broad cross section of cultural backgrounds. As a journalist they have written for and been published by some of Australia’s leading arts and news editorial across the last 10 years-and was recognised as a finalist for Globe Community Media Award in 2021. Ryan has also taken photos for a number of print and online publications.