Author Christos Tsiolkas, best known for his novel The Slap, has lent his support to the Save Our Arts campaign, highlighting the financial challenges faced by Australian artists.
Reflecting on his own journey, Tsiolkas recalled working as a veterinary nurse while writing The Slap, noting, “It gave me the space to write.”
Despite years of struggling to make a living, the success of The Slap allowed Tsiolkas, in his late 40s, to finally secure financial stability, a rare feat for many in the arts.
Tsiolkas is now backing the Save Our Arts campaign, which aims to address the lack of financial support for Australian creatives and advocate for arts policy reform ahead of the upcoming federal election.
The campaign, which builds on the 2022 Fund the Arts movement, seeks to ensure a future where Australian artists can thrive. It proposes creating 200 fellowships for emerging artists, increasing the Translation Fund for Literature, and providing $5 billion over ten years for cultural infrastructure.
Tsiolkas’ support is rooted in his own experience of struggling to sustain a career in the arts. “I feel like I’m part of a really lucky generation,” he told ABC, emphasising the rising costs of housing, healthcare and education that make it harder for artists today.
He credits early government support, such as a publishing subsidy for his first novel Loaded, for enabling his career.
“One of the things that’s hardest to fight against is a notion that being an artist or being a writer is a really bougie thing,” he said, stressing that financial barriers should not prevent anyone from pursuing creative careers.
Source: ABC News.
