Local Artist Spotlight: Brodie Alserda

Published on 21 December 2021

Frankston Artist Brodie Alserda is so proud to be a recipient of an Artist Project Grant from Frankston City Council.

Brodie explores animals as the primary focus of her artwork, converting animal photography into her signature Zentangle black and white style, or full colour blended pieces.

Alserda has frequented the peninsula growing up, even displaying her very first exhibition at Lotus Chiropractic in Mt Eliza, and is incredibly excited for her work to be displayed an exhibition in Frankston Arts Centre's Mezzanine Gallery in June 2022.

"I used to attend art groups at Cube 37 and never thought my artwork would be hanging there."

"I was so happy to sell so many pieces at my first exhibition as that told me that they liked my work, I am excited to see what response I get this time."

Alserda took the adversity of the pandemic in her stride, using the lockdowns to focus on her work.

"[The pandemic] gave me more time to draw, and I have created themes such as the dinosaur group, the underwater group, the Australiana group... I generally concentrate on animals."

Brodie has excelled in art from an early age, utilising it as a distraction from her struggles with Chromosome 6 Deletion Disorder, a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum, connective tissue disorder, motor dyspraxia, schizophrenia and high anxiety. Alongside visual art, Brodie flourished as a musician; her proficiency as a clarinet player allowed her to become the lead player in the Padua College School Band.

Despite not being able to do all the things her peers could do; her art was where she excelled and was a healthy distraction from her daily battles with pain and other issues.

Brodie was also bullied extensively throughout her school years, leading to a form of PTSD which causes pseudo seizures. Despite this adversity at such a young age, Alserda is hopeful and dedicated to her work.

"I used to be called many nasty names at school and now people call me 'the artist'."

Brodie is grateful for her parents’ and the community’s continual support for her and her artwork.

"My stepfather, Ken McBride has encouraged me and supported me so much: he organised the framing, advertising. He submitted my grant application, and I am so grateful to be given this opportunity to share my art with many more people."

"This means so much to be recognised in this way; plus, my mum has always been so supportive and helpful, and she is so proud that my talent is being recognised."

"I am really excited to see my art hanging in the Frankston Art Gallery."

Frankston Council significantly expanded its Community and Business Grants program during the pandemic to support up to 16 artists and creatives.

Designed to help artists and those working in creative industries to pursue their passion while delivering culturally important work to the community, they included Artist Project Grants and Professional Development Grants.

This was a result of the $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package, which the council created to help Frankston City recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about artist grant recipients and opportunities for local creatives, subscribe to the Frankston Arts Centre e-news.