INTERVIEW with Kym Cunningham Artist || 2026 Finalist for The Australian Wearable Art Festival
SD: Hi, Kym. Can you please introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?
KC: Hi there! I’m Kym Cunningham, an award-winning sculptor and creative educator living on the beautiful Fraser Coast in Queensland, Australia.
I take an experimental approach to art, transforming recycled and unconventional materials into quirky, thought-provoking sculptures - recycled cardboard is my all-time favourite medium!
I also run Happy Creative Classes in Maryborough, a welcoming art studio where people of all ages and abilities can explore their creativity, have fun, and make something amazing.
SD: How and when did you get into wearable art?
KC: Having admired the Australian Wearable Art Festival for many years, I finally entered in 2025. It felt like a natural progression from my sculptures.
SD: What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself when you were starting out in wearable art?
KC: I’d tell my younger self to trust your instincts, experiment boldly, and remember that mistakes aren’t failures; they’re just steps toward finding your unique voice. Don’t be afraid to play with unusual materials or ideas that feel "not normal" - those are often the pieces that surprise you the most.
And most importantly, share your work and connect with others - feedback, collaboration, and inspiration from fellow artists will shape you in ways you can’t predict.
SD: What keeps you inspired?
KC: I’m inspired by the ever-changing beauty of nature, the depth of human emotions, and my own personal experiences. I’m also fascinated by the endless possibilities of under-utilised materials - like cardboard; seeing how something ordinary can be transformed into something extraordinary always excites me.
SD: Explain your understanding of sustainable fashion practices and how you incorporate them into your design process.
KC: Sustainable fashion, to me, is about minimizing waste and giving materials new life. I work with recycled and under-used materials - like cardboard and fabric scraps, transforming them into art that’s both beautiful and mindful of the environment.
SD: You’re a 2026 finalist in The Australian Wearable Art Festival. What excites you most about this?
KC: Being part of a community of such innovative designers is inspiring and energizing. It’s incredible to share ideas, witness diverse approaches to creativity, and be surrounded by people who push the boundaries of art, fashion, and sustainability. It sparks new ideas, fuels my imagination, and elevates my own practice in ways I never could alone.
Tickets are going fast. Go and buy tickets to see Kym Cunningham Artist in The Australian Wearable Art Festival here
The Australian Wearable Art Festival Website: https://australianwearableart.com.au/
The Australian Wearable Art Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australianwearableart/
The Australian Wearable Art Festival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/australianwearableart/
Kym Cunningham Artist:
Website: https://www.kymcunninghamartist.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kymcunninghamartist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kym.cunningham.artist
Photo Credits:
First, Second + Third Photo: Amie Atkinson photographed by Colin McLellan/Barry Alsop