Fringe Arts And Annual Google Exhibition

Name and Role: Andrew Ensor – I'm a visual artist with work in two group shows as part of Sydney Fringe.

Plug your show! Both exhibitions I'm involved with will offer a range of diverse artists and artworks as well as my own uniquely delicate drawings.

Where did the idea for your show come from? At the Italian forum I have a series of drawings based on penguins. It started with the idea of penguins as a type of madness, and from that came a series of portraits that still feel like the early stages of a larger body of work. It's a play on the idea of the Emperor's new clothes, and aims to move away from penguins as 'cute'.

What have the past few months or so been like in the lead-up to Fringe? It's been quite busy, I've been producing a second series of works based on Distorted Reproduction as part of the Google Show. As well as organising work for Fringe Arts at the Italian Forum and trying to hold down a full-time job.

What inspires you artistically? I'll often say that my artwork comes from isolation rather than inspiration, but that said ideas can come from anywhere. I do use a lot of books from the library I work at.

What the most cringe-worthy thing you've seen on stage? Myself, dressed in a grass skirt and bra during a Primary School performance of some play I don't even recall the name of. Thankfully I only had one line.

What other shows are you looking forward to at this year's Fringe? Porphyria's Slumber looks interesting, I like things that touch on the metaphysical.

What excites you about being involved in the Sydney Fringe 2012? It's a great opportunity to be involved with lots of other artists and to exhibit at venues a little bit different from the usual white cube gallery spaces.

WHEN & WHERE: Fringe Arts – Friday 7 to Sunday 30 September; Forum & Google Exhibition – Friday 7 September to Sunday 7 October, Seymour Centre