Lecture & Workshop - Sunday 17th August 2025
Pack Gallery is pleased to announce that M.E. Baird will be repeating his first and most popular lecture, ‘Feasting On The Substance of A Good Idea’. However, this time around, M.E. Baird will be following up his lecture with an interactive workshop, 'The Art of Listening’. The workshop is closely related to the talk and provides a valuable practical experience following the lecture. But it's not essential to attend the lecture first.
ABOUT THE LECTURE
Feasting On the Substance of a Good Idea. (What is creativity, and how to generate ideas)- What is creativity?
- What makes a good creative idea?
- Abstraction, ideas naked and absolute.
- How to generate a good idea.
- How to overcome that zone of despair when they don't come.
When: Sunday 17th August
Where: 1/3 Acacia Street, BYRON BAY Arts and Industrial Estate
Time: 10-12 pm
Cost: $45
Ticket Link: https://events.humanitix.com/feasting-on-the-substance-of-a-good-idea
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:The Art Of Listening (Interactive Workshop)
Drawing and mark-making are not only the very first forms of ‘recording’ for humanity, but are at the foundation of any art or creative practice, regardless of the medium or discipline. However, these practices and processes rely purely on the eye (observation), brain and hand connection. There are other ways of utilising drawing and the capacity to think at a deeper level, simply by including our ears and the process of listening.
The method I employ uses drawing and or mark-making in response to compositions and audio-delivered text. These methods have been scientifically proven to allow different parts of the brain to be ‘switched on’ and stimulated, taking the intuitive thinking process to new and deeper levels. It requires no skill at all. The focus is on mark-making, gesturing, recording, and not finished works.
When: Sunday 17th August
Where: 1/3 Acacia Street, BYRON BAY Arts and Industrial Estate
Time: 2-5 pm
Cost: $65 (limited to 10 people)
Ticket Link: https://events.humanitix.com/the-art-of-listening
ABOUT M.E. BAIRD
"Matthew (M.E. Baird) takes a unique approach in his lectures, combining deep wisdom with engaging storytelling. He often begins with Philosophy and Literature, using them to frame his exploration of various art movements and subjects—something AI and internet searches can't replicate. Infusing his lectures with dark wit and unexpected insights, he dynamically delivers them, making the experience both informative and entertaining."
M.E. Baird initially studied fine art at Frankston Technical College. He then pursued a degree in Landscape Architecture at RMIT, Melbourne, where he also completed additional units in Architecture, Sculpture, and Drawing. Later, he completed a Master's in Design at Deakin University in Victoria. Throughout this time, he maintained his passion for music, film, literature, and an academic career. His multidisciplinary approach to creativity has provided him with a unique set of perspectives and skills for exploring creativity and expression.
For two decades, parallel to his music and art practice, M.E. Baird held sessional academic, teaching, and creative scholar roles across art, design, and architecture at various art and design schools and universities in New South Wales and Victoria. These include RMIT University, UNSW-COFA, the UNSW Built Environment Department, the University of Sydney, and Deakin University. He has won several awards for teaching excellence. As an academic, he specifically examined creative philosophy, memory, and creative processes across various art forms, including art, design, architecture, film, music, and literature.
Although no longer teaching or undertaking academic work, M.E. Baird is available for private lectures, presentations, and one-on-one mentoring. To find out more about M.E. Baird, go to: http://www.mebaird.net