Words: Marianne Astrid Close // Photos: Liam Tang
Situated on the south side of the city amongst swirling jacarandas, Truc Truong is sewing the seeds of a new community space to drink good coffee, learn of meaningful objects, grow through art and lean on the people who matter.
After a brief soft launch in December, Smoking Fish is ready to get the ball rolling in January.
“Art is my main thing,” Truc explains. “In contemporary art, we’re taught to be fully commercial and apply for grant after grant, but that process isn’t built for everyone.”
Truc studied a Bachelor of Contemporary Art at UniSA in 2017, and since then, her work has primarily been in sculpture and installation.
“Smoking Fish was born out of a desire to open up my studio and find novel ways for artists to sustain themselves and exist outside of the traditional mode of being,” she says, launching Smoking Fish with her husband Tom Burford.
“Artists rely on these creative spaces. I got through uni by going to places like this. I made a lot of friends at Washdog Studio and at Fab Workshop, so this space is really for them – for all of us artists to work, create, and have that constant flow of good people.”
The story of Vietnamese diaspora is woven throughout the space, with cans of condensed milk perched on the shelves, green pandan lamingtons at the counter and Vietnamese script informing its elegant design.
Smoking Fish has a growing retail offering, that begins with objects that we want to exist in the world.
“We want to represent brands that mean something to us and operate with integrity,” Truc explains.
“Puebco is a Japanese brand that uses repurposed materials to create new and enduring beauty. They make aprons from old army parachutes, brushed silver bowls and miscellaneous homewares.
“We’ll also have incense from Agaric Fly Small Supplies and Chef of the Year Thi Le’s debut cookbook Viet Kieu – all amongst a rotating selection of art on the walls.”
With broad window space at the front of the building, future exhibitions are well suited to spill out onto the street.
“Collaboration in all forms will truly lead the space. This month we’re really excited to have a collaboration with 108Warehouse – a new and used select retail store in Marrickville, Sydney,” Truc explains.
“We’re going to be creating a range of t-shirts, which they do really well. The art selection will be a mixture of locals and the people we love. The objects will be carefully selected items that align with our values and who we truly are.
“There is so much art in the world that we don’t get to appreciate because of the way that the art world operates. Just because something isn’t commercial, doesn’t mean it’s not worth our time.
“It’s about accessibility, but it’s also about making people feel comfortable around art.”
Truc has roots in the Adelaide coffee scene – at Paddy Barry’s and at Bloom.
“At the moment, we’re serving 1645, which is a local coffee roaster. We’re very excited to be collaborating on a blend, which we’ll get the whole team involved for,” she says.
Truc prefers to think of her staff as friends, and encourages them in their creative pursuits.
“If someone is into music, we’re going to help them go on tour. If they’re into art, we’re going to offer them the space to show their work. There is room in Adelaide for everyone,” she says.
The shop bears small semblances of the old Trims store, adding history and character to the budding space.
“This is an underrated side of the city. It’s a pocket where privilege meets intersectionality, but that doesn’t mean that something good can’t exist here,” Truc says.
“It’s early days, and the open has been manic, so we’re excited to give it time to breathe and allow Smoking Fish to grow into what it naturally becomes.”
Smoking Fish: 7 Carrington Street, Adelaide 5000
