
Calile Culture continues to explore the many facets of creativity and connection. This November we delve into the cutest cultural phenomenon to date, the much-adored television series Bluey.
The Calile is delighted to welcome Joe Brumm the creator of Bluey for an in-conversation with Jessica Rudd, the Chief Executive Officer of The ParentHood and Pro-Chancellor at Griffith University. Born and raised in Queensland, Joe has spent over two decades in the animation industry, honing his craft and bringing stories to life through animation and writing.
When we think of culture, we often think of fine arts, theatre, drama and the power of art to move – blinkered in a narrow, white-cube, exclusive view of what constitutes ‘culture’. It is then the most delightful of surprises when that trope is proven wrong. Most culture vultures would not deem children’s animation as a cultural phenomenon, but they would be wrong of course and clearly need to play more Keepy Uppy.
Bluey has proven that culture is not simply a thing or product, it is an idea, a shared experience, a connection and an understanding that we are more alike than we are different. On paper it is difficult to fathom how an animated Blue Heeler family from the Brisbane suburbs can connect with global audiences in such a powerful way, however the key seems to reside in Brumm’s dedication to authenticity. This dedication to honesty in his storytelling, is reflected in the writing – these are charming, funny and relatable stories that appeal to adults and children, and even though they are coloured by Brisbane, they are universal in their message.
The Cambridge dictionary defines culture as: the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular
group of people at a particular time. Joe Brumm has managed to capture the Brisbane life and culture so beautifully in Bluey, and beyond that to connect us all to each other globally. So, we could not think of a more appropriate noun to describe Bluey if we tried. Culture indeed can come in all shapes, and in this case it is dog shaped.
Tickets can be purchased here with all proceeds donated to Juiced TV, an organisation launched in 2015 at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Juiced TV is a program ‘made by the kids, for the kids’ which allows young patients and their siblings to star in their own show, and share their hospital journey in an empowering and positive way – both from within hospital walls and outside too.
Please note, while children are welcome to attend, this conversation is not tailored for children.