Artist Q&As: Meet Easty Beasty

DiDi is installing pARTition screens to vehicles in Sydney to help riders and drivers stay safe. Our pARTition screens are created by local suppliers and are 100% Australian-made. To bring positive vibes to your rides we commissioned local Aussie artists to design the screens and help us stay apart, together.

With playful surfers wearing masks and spraying disinfectant whilst cavorting in the water, Sydney artist Easty Beasty brings a sense of lightness to Australia’s COVID-19 fight with her three pARTition screens. We speak to Easy to delve into the story behind her art, and how it can bring lightness to your day as we Stay Apart, Together. 

How have you been coping with COVID-19 in Sydney? 

I’m extremely lucky in that where I live in Sydney, I’m able to continue on with my life mostly as normal. There are definitely tough days and really over-it days, and I’ve really missed not being able to see family in Queensland, but for the most part things have been okay, all things considered. 

How have you channelled your personal COVID-19 experience into your pARTition screens? 

I just wanted to put a light spin on things, make it a little cheeky. Kind of like giving everyone a big thumbs up saying, “We’re all gonna be okay.” It’s a series of surfers having a little fun in their masks (reusable masks, definitely) and not letting all the bad stuff get in the way of a good day. 

What are you hoping Sydneysiders get from your art pieces?

I think I’d just like to get a bit of a smile on someone’s face. Maybe a little “haha” moment. Just because we have to stay apart and keep safe doesn’t mean we can’t still be together and have fun. 

How do you think people can experience a sense of togetherness whilst still social distancing? Do you feel art has a part to play in connecting people?

Art definitely has a role to play in helping explain human emotion, but also to help alleviate some of the sadness in the world at the moment. I hope people can see my art and feel a bit of warmth and happiness from it; a bit of lightness. And maybe take a photo of it and share it with a friend they haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with. We’re so lucky to have so much technology that means we can keep in touch. I just jumped off FaceTime with my mum, and I was wearing her sweater – it’s sad that I don’t know when I’m going to be able to see her, but I can still feel close to her with these small moments. 

Has COVID-19 impacted your work as an artist? How do you see the art industry moving forward post-COVID 19? 

If you look back in history, art has endured every international disaster there ever was. Art is always transforming and adapting to its new world – I’ve got no doubt it will be the same in a post-COVID world. It’ll always be there – it just may change form. Weirdly, COVID-19 has actually positively impacted my business. I think with people spending much more time at home they’re wanting to decorate more, and that might mean buying more art. 

What are you looking forward to doing after COVID-19?

I’m looking forward to jumping on a plane and getting out of here. Location TBC.