Multidisciplinary artist HOSSEI was making work from his bedroom, storing materials under his bed and questioning if he could afford to stay in Sydney. Then he got a phone call that changed his direction.
Since moving into a City of Sydney creative live and work space in Waterloo in November 2025, his practice has expanded quickly. The apartment has become a base for rehearsals, costume development, production meetings and screenings, alongside the freedom to simply experiment.
"I just get on the bus, literally across the road, and in 3 minutes I get to Central," he said. "I feel like I've won the lottery."
Running since 2014, our creative live and work spaces grants program has supported more than 70 artists, including Ramesh Mario Nithyendran and Vidya Makan, by providing stable, subsidised spaces for artists to live and work.
A practice grounded in care
HOSSEI works across painting, sculpture, installation, theatre, costume and sound. His work blends sensory elements with dreamlike environments, shaped by Persian, Russian and Turkish heritage. At its centre is a focus on healing – for himself, his collaborators and his community.
He stepped away from art for 5 years to care full-time for his mother, who lives with multiple health conditions. Her encouragement pushed him back into practice.
"She sat me down and said, ‘what are you doing with your life? This is not what you're meant to do’," he said.
When he returned, the art world welcomed him back, which he describes as deeply meaningful. HOSSEI’s been working continuously since.
A body of work expanding
His most significant project to date is a trilogy of works. The first, O, was presented at UTS Gallery. The second, THUNDERBLOOM, is a 3-channel video featuring his mother singing about everyday life – medication, shopping and routine. The final work, ESSSENSSSE, is currently touring and will continue into next year.
"I only feel like I've scraped the surface. I've got so much more to say."
"People don't see people like my mum in the art world. These are the stories we've been missing."
Space to create and connect
Before joining the program, HOSSEI was renting a much smaller space in Ashfield while trying to produce large-scale work. Access to subsidised rent has shifted what’s possible.
"It means I can invest in my practice now," he said.
He’s configured the space as both studio and meeting place, with areas for collaboration, planning and production.
"It's not just for me,” he said. “It's for everyone involved."
Looking ahead
HOSSEI has a full schedule of projects under way. In the coming months, he’ll present a work at the new Sydney Fish Market, restage his performance Bubble Fever with Performance Space and develop an installation for Carriageworks.
He's also planning further touring of ESSSENSSSE, while also working towards a large-scale performance installation with Sydney Festival, with ambitions to tour internationally.
When reflecting on entering the creative live and work spaces grants program, he describes a sense of stability.
"When I got that phone call, I just thought – I can relax. All the stars aligned," he said.
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Published 19 June 2026
