Local People: Linda Spowart

by James Marten

As Hobart art supplies shop Artery celebrates their 50th birthday this month, part-owner Linda lives a life surrounded by, and practicing, art.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Perth Western Australia and in a very roundabout way ended up in Hobart about 30 years ago. It took a while to settle in but I love it now and wouldn’t want to live permanently anywhere else.

Artery is celebrating 50 years this month. What does that milestone mean to you? Wow, I’ve just realised I have been with Artery for over half of those years! In this day and age any independent business that has lasted this long has to have put down deep roots within the community. Business can’t really thrive without community and without having a true sense of what community means.

How has the shop changed in that time? In some ways not at all, I think the layout is still pretty similar to what it was when I started; in others ways a lot. The shop is much quirkier than it used to be, we certainly source some very interesting items from all over the world. I love that we’re an independent store – we can pick and choose the products we stock and be the shop we want to be.

What trends are you seeing in store and in the art world at the moment? Handmade products definitely, especially what used to be considered handicrafts – embroidery, ceramics etc. I like that not everything has to be perfect these days, that we embrace the imperfect; that sense of wabisabi that pushes back against the current digital polish.

Who are the most notable artists you’ve had in store to buy supplies? We have had a lot of Tassie greats as regulars over the years. In my time Max Angus, Patricia Giles, Tom Samek, Geoff Dyer and Jon Kudelka to name a few. I love that so many of our customers are so well known outside of Tasmania but are simply part of our community here.

What do you think is the coolest/most unique item you have in store? I think it would have to be the small graphite objects made by Agelio Batle at Batle Studio in California. They are original hand-sculptured objects that have been cast in graphite. You can draw with them! They’re awesome.

What’s something you wish more people knew about what you do? Like most of the staff at Artery, I have my own art practice. I have worked as a textile designer and a fashion designer, I also designed sets and costumes for theatre before starting at Artery. Art has always been integral to my life.

Who do you admire? Jane Goodall and David Attenborough, both have had such a profound impact on how I view my environment and what it takes to nurture it. Vivienne Westwood, right from the beginning I’ve loved her rebellious attitude and of course her clothing. I love the drawings of Albrecht Durer.

Favourite podcast or tv show? Our whole family was right into Game of Thrones. Each new episode we would create these amazing feasts inspired by the episode before. They took most of the week in between to research and prepare, we ate incredible food.

Secret vice? Historical romance and trashy novels.

What are you reading now? I don’t get much time to sit and read so I listen to stories, currently it is Katabasis by R.F.Kuang

What was your first job? In the fruit and vegetable department of Coles after school on Thursdays and Saturdays.

What are your daily news/social media habits? I’ve deleted Facebook and Instagram off my phone so I can’t look at them during the day. I still have them on my iPad and check in on them in the evenings. I’m deliberately reducing my scroll time.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: Little Missy Patisserie

Lunch: Under the apple tree outside my studio

Dinner: It’s so hard to choose just one place. Tassie has the best food and some truly amazing restaurants. We went to Maria the other night, it was lovely

Dream holiday destination? Antarctica, Spain, Japan, Ireland not necessarily in that order. I really love to travel.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? I love that Tasmania is still a bit of a secret in itself.

Parting words? “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” — Thomas Merton

Love this

Extras

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

Bits and Pieces- May 2026

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!