My Art Chest was opened with a phone My first job in the media was a
call. Three weeks earlier I auditioned volunteer radio host. The Boldness
for a television show. Jordan Prosser, is Disability Current Affairs program.
the producer thought I had a good voice I treasure that experience. It gave a
for radio and advised me to call 3CR. taste of a new career.
Photograph. Emma Buckley and Raphael Kaleb at 2017 St Kilda Film Festival
Entertainment excites me. Touches my Into The Limelight a comedy was
soul. After 3 years on radio, I knew shown at the 2017 St Kilda Film
what I wanted. Ambition came calling. Festival. Emma Buckley was the
Charged with adrenaline I explored other Executive Producer. Six years into my
creative disciplines. journey, I felt I belonged.
Raphael Kaleb performing at the Lyrebird Lounge. Photographer Capt’n Justyna
Comedy is like the death sentence for Fear, Failure and Humiliation are three
the performer. It owns me. It’s more tenets of comedy taught by Justine
addictive than any drug. There’s no Sless professional comedienne. With
better feeling than the audience saying her encouragement I entered 2017 RAW
afterwards “Well done. Thank you.” Comedy Competition.
Left to right: Opening night of One Night Only Art Exhibition Larissa Macfarlane, Raphael Kaleb and Heidi Everett. Photographer Ali Butler
Larissa is an acquired brain injury We are often photographed at
artist, famous for handstands, and screen events together. We have
Heidi has been a finalist in many strengths in related fields. A
music competitions and gifted illustrator. common bond is we respect
They are my peers as well as friends. all people for their abilities.
Burnie Gardens, Tasmania Photographer Raphael Kaleb
Each year I develop a new aspect to Last year I added photography to
The Art Chest. In business to what I can do. Pictures and
and in trades, people have a specialty and words go together. Using my
develop a working knowledge of related pictures improves my writing and
aspects of of that industry. marketability.
Opening night of 2017 Art Me Up Exhibition Raphael Kaleb and Belle Phoenix Photographer Phillipa Armstrong
Art Me Up was part of Melbourne Fringe Belle Phoenix is the lead singer of
Festival. Each year. Port Phillip Housing Subterranean Sea. We share a
Association invites tenants to exhibit their wicked sense of off beat black
work. In 2017 Art Me Up was held at humor. Music is another demension
Gasworks in Port Melbourne. of The Art Chest.
Opening night of Voices Maurya Bouinsoius, Raphael Kaleb and Helena Wilson
Photographer Simon Direen.
Voices is a short documentary exploring In seven years I’ve covered many
the influences of our lives and backgrounds. aspects of creativity. What I did was
What we had in common is we all completed action my dreams and turn them
“Voices of The South’ a public speaking course. reality. Those experiences and
That bond united us. people are The Art Chest.
For more information about Voices go to www.facebook.com/Voices-Documentary-309397392832063
Arts/Creativity/Entertainment is my world. Its where I belong. My Art Chest has many treasured memories. From playing in Battle of The Bands in 2015, a finalist in The Emerging Writers Festival in 2015, acting in plays like No Offence and There Might Be Ghosts in Melbourne Fringe Festival. By late 2016 I hosted A Rambling Beurologists Dream, my own radio show as a Summer Series on 3CR. I’ve also produced and directed a short film Christened By Fire based on a book I wrote shown at Mojo Film Festival. It’s a a long way from that kid who was an extra winged monkey in the Wizard of Oz in primary school who hid behind the curtain hiding from the audience.
A pen and paper
Treasured possessions
Words are my legacy.
Raphael Kaleb
The Art Chest 