Fragile – Robi Watt
Fragile
My work is a satirical reaction to everyday fashion magazines. I have friends involved in retouching images for magazines and they tell me about being instructed to; for instance, remove the creases from a models elbow joint, which I think is hilarious. I am responding to the plasticization of such figures, not in a critical way, though more playfully in reaction to this synthetic phenomenon. The images also make reference to various icons, with the people in the images being more like popular culture objects than humans.
Robi Watt
Robi started her career in 1979 as an Advertising Art Director / Graphic designer for agencies in Australia, Europe and Asia. Since 1998, she has worked as a director and producer on Television Commercials and documentaries in Adelaide, whilst being very much involved in the industry around Australia.
Robi has exhibited her work in 2005 and 2006.
Email: robiwatt@bigpond.com
Voyeur – Caroline Tilney
Voyeur
Voyeur is an ongoing body of work inspired by Turn of the Century practices of “Voyeurism” and “Peeping Toms”. “The characteristic feature of a “Voyeur” is one that does not directly interact with the object of their voyeurism but instead observes the act from a distance by peeping through an opening or using an aid such as binoculars, mirrors etc.” Voyeurism may be tolerated or even appreciated if the people viewed are exhibitionists or are doing it for monetary gain. The attraction with curvaceous, scantily dressed women on post-cards and the images portrayed in old movies of suit clad men entering small cubicles to peep through a hole at women participating in various degrees of undress or at worse, still images simulating the erotic, have always interested and amused me.
Caroline Tilney
Caroline is currently studying a Diploma of Photography at Southbank Institute of Technology in Queensland. She has won many photographic awards and has had her work in various exhibitions since 2001.
Email: caroletfirma@hotkey.net.au
CREATIVITY: “Creativity is the defeat of habit by originality” – Juliet Taylor
CREATIVITY: “Creativity is the defeat of habit by originality”
THIS BODY OF WORK WAS AN EXPERIMENT: To be individual and create a unique interpretation of an idea, using the camera as an extension of my mind.
The experimentation of mixing new technology with unconventional techniques, the practice of mixing surrealist principals in commercial advertising. Communication by ways of the subconscious. “The thought of stressing the subconscious or non-rational significance of imagery arrived at by automatism or the exploitation of chance effects, unexpected juxtapositions, etc.” To practice placing this way of thought into this age of technology, in a hi-end commercial practice. We are now in the era of digital. As Man Ray once discovered solarisation by a freak accident, we must continue to experiment and make mistakes, not being afraid to take risks and fail.
FREE YOUR MIND.
Juliet Taylor
After leaving Australia for a world trip at 19 years old, Juliet found her passion for photography in London, where she did her first photo shoot whilst studying dentistry.
On her return, she began her career working for Pixi photo, shooting school portraits, weddings and for a local model-search company. She also set up a small portrait studio at her house.
At 23, Juliet moved to Melbourne and met her photographic mentor, Eryk Fitaku. She describes the 3 years she was Fitaku’s assistant as photographic boot camp and says he gave her the software to be able to “see” the physicality of working in the industry, working on national and international campaigns.
This year, at 28, Juliet started her own company, Juliet Productions. In her second year in the commercial industry, she now works between Melbourne and Sydney for some of Australia’s largest clients.
Email: info@juliet.com.au
Website: www.juliettaylor.com.au
Little James – Yenny Strömgren
Little James
This photo essay is a story about a day in the life of the retro rabbit Little James.
Little James’ number one philosophy is to live for the moment and to appreciate the little things in life that makes him happy. The story was photographed in Melbourne during 4 months in 2006 and another story of Little James camping and going to the beach is planned for 2007. My goal with this project is to publish the story as a book in the near future and my wish is that people of all ages will take Little James to their heart.
Yenny Strömgren
Yenny was born in Sweden and studied photography, Visual Arts, Drama and English at the University of Wisconsin, Eau-Claire USA, as a 1 year scholarship, while she was in high school.
In 1998, Yenny completed a photography diploma ay Kulturama (TAFE) in Stockholm, Sweden, and in 2002, completed a Bachelor of Photography with Honours at James Cook University, Townsville, QLD.
Yenny worked as a photographers assistant from 2002 to 2004 and is currently working as a photographer in Melbourne. Her work has been exhibited many times since 1998 in both Australia and Sweden.
Email: yennyphoto@runbox.com
Website: www.yennyphoto.com
Dark Matters, Fitzroy, 2006 – Patrick Rodriguez
Dark Matters, Fitzroy, 2006
This series explores the theatrical possibilities inherent in the back lanes of one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs; Fitzroy – teeming with histories past and imagined. I have approached these spaces, urban atmospheres, as readymade sets. Each back lane provides its own unique arrangement of visual elements, including stencil art, signage, textures and materials.
The ‘set’ is dramatised by placing a series of stand-alone objects as the main character; and articulating with what is visually available in order to assemble an image. The choice of objects, many of which are from childhood, conjures a mystery and invites the viewer to elaborate their own dramaturgy or associations about what was or may be performed in those spaces.
Patrick Rodriguez
Patrick was born in Bogota, Columbia and has been living in Melbourne since 2002.
He had many exhibitions throughout 1998 and 1999 in Columbia and studied Fine Arts at the National University of Columbia in 2001. He is currently enrolled in Diploma of Arts, Applied Photography at RMIT.
Patrick has also been a photographer’s assistant since 2004.
Email: rophoto@alphalink.com.au
Luminescence – Calista Lyon
Luminescence
My images are a journey through the intriguing and alluring world of flora. I have a deep admiration and respect for the natural environment, which began while growing up on a property in Tallangatta Valley. My Style evolved due to my desire to depict the unusual and wonder surrounding the anatomy of flora.
I use my award-winning skills in photomacrography to capture striking simplicity and bold forms, that exude motion and feeling. ‘Luminesence’ seeks to awaken viewers to the beauty of our natural environment. It urges the viewer to gain a deeper understanding of the structures of these plants and how important their role is in the environment.
I invite you to view ‘Luminesence’, a body of work detailing the majestic anomaly of flora.
Calista Lyon
Calista Lyon grew up on a beef property in Tallangatta Valley, North East Victoria. During secondary school Calista became heavily involved with Athletics, representing Australia in Discus at the World Youth Championships and the World Junior Championships. Calista decided to follow her interest in Athletics and moved to Melbourne in 2004, where she currently resides.
She studied in 2005/06 and completed a Diploma of Art in Applied Photography at NMIT. Calista’s determination and commitment to her photography has seen her win numerous awards, including the national award AIPP Student Photographer of the Year and NMIT Student Photographer of the Year. Calista currently works as a photography assistant and has worked with some of Australia’s leading photographers.
Pumping Iron – Billy Law
Pumping Iron
For this photographic essay, I’ve followed the NABBA/WFF Amateur Bodybuilding Championship in Melbourne in September 2006. Bodybuilders in different shapes and sizes, from all over Australia, came together to test their strength, to compete against each other, in desperation to bring home the national championship title.
Bodybuilding is arguably one of the most controversial yet comical sports in history. But for participants, bodybuilding has become a lifestyle, considered an extreme sport where they can test their strength, courage and will, and yet not be afraid to show their feminine side throughout the whole competition. The juxtaposition between masculinity and vanity has made this larger than life sport a truly fascinating event for both participants and observers.
Billy Law
Billy Law, originally from Malaysia, now resides in Sydney, Australia. Billy has recently become a freelance digital interactive designer and photographer. A self taught photographer, Billy has been taking his passion in photography increasingly seriously over the last two years, with a fast growing portfolio.
Because of his oriental background and western influences, Law is able to provide a unique insight into the world around him and share it with an international audience.
Billy’s talent and determination in photography has won him a few major awards including DCMag Photographer of the Year 2006 (Animal Category), 1st runner up in Shutterbug 07 projection. He is also in the finalist of Head On Contemporary Portrait Prize 2008.
Email: figuromo@gmail.com
Website: www.billylaw.com.au
Goodfellows – Anoek de Groot
Goodfellows
From 2005 till September 2006 Anoek followed the behind-the scenes lives and work of Western and Asian erotic dancers who work at a discreet members club in Hong Kong near its famous night club area Lan Kwai Fong.
It is the only club in Hong Kong where international businessmen bring their customers in to enjoy the company of International pole dancers and hostesses. Six nights a week they are busy entertaining customers ‘til early morning hours and are faced with the difficulties of the industry.
‘Goodfellows’ has existed for many years but is going through tough times recently with business slowing down rapidly and girls having a hard time making the money they used to make 10 years ago.
Anoek de Groot
Anoek was born in the Netherlands and is now a documentary photographer based in Sydney. She has a background in Art with a degree in Graphic Art at the Royal Academy of Fine arts at The Hague, the Netherlands. After her degree she had a series of exhibitions, nominations and assignments.
Until 2001, Anoek worked as a freelance multi media designer in motion graphics in the Netherlands. She then began travelling Asia and Australia, working for herself as well as photographing and filming dancers. “The only way for me to be able to cover the life of erotic dancers in an intimate way is to live with dancers and explore it yourself.” Which is what she’s done since 2002 in Japan (Tokyo and Sapporo), Hong Kong and Australia (Melbourne and Sydney).
In 2003 Anoek studied photography at KvB institute of technology in North Sydney and in 2004 completed courses in photo assisting and photojournalism at the ACP in Sydney. Since then, she has been assisting photographers, and traveling to continue her own stories.
Email: contactanoek@hotmail.com
Website: www.anoekdegroot.com
Bhutan, Shangri La interpreted for the 21st century – Tim Gibbs
Bhutan, Shangri La interpreted for the 21st century
Bhutan, the last ‘kingdom’ in the world, Buddhist with a measure of ‘gross nation happiness’ amongst its most valued commodities, will in 2008 become a democracy after one hundred years of paternal monarchic rule by one family.
This series of images is a celebration of the spirit and beauty of the most pure Buddhist nation in the world, where mantra meets mobile phone in a social fusion that really seems to work; where, with experience tainted by all the images of how the world has gone wrong, it’s easy to be afraid for this delicate balance of tradition versus modernity but where, ultimately, for now at least, tradition appears to be the winner and the driving force that will see this small nation work through its newest transition and stand proud as a beacon of peace to the rest of this troubled world.
Tim Gibbs
Tim was born in the UK. He studied art at Watford School of Art as a foundation course and photography for two years at the Polytechnic of Central London.
Tim worked in feature film production in London, beginning as a runner and progressing through to AD, then producing music videos and directing. He then moved to Australia and began directing television commercials, short films and documentaries. He won Awards for TVC’s in Australia and worldwide.
Tim returned seriously to photography 3 years ago and has since produced a book of black and white images from around the world and has exhibited 3 times in Sydney.
He is passionate about photography and wishes to grow and advance this craft beyond a mere sideline to his commercial activities. Tim shoots entirely on film, combining 35mm and 6×6 formats. “I will not use a motor drive or any tools that take my mind from the single image and may miss opportunities at times as a consequence, but know, at the same time that the moments I do capture, as I see them, are unique”.
Email: timmyg@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.timgibbsphotography.com
Hear My Voice – Joseph Feil
Hear My Voice
The photographs in Hear My Voice are part of a series that highlight the unresolved political issues of a new generation. These include immigration, detention and asylum(Tampa); erosion of rights (IR law changes); terrorism and the denial of personal liberty (David Hicks); and the place of Indigenous Australians (Camp Sovereignty).
For me, each of these issues is a rallying point for underlying changes in the fabric of Australia. These images serve to remind us that our country and the morals it stands for are changing. The Australia I grew up in felt neutral, proudly humanitarian and socially responsible.
The images in Hear My Voice seek to serve as a permanent voice for those who believe that Australia has taken the wrong road, the destination still to be revealed and filled with uncertainty.
Joseph Feil
Joseph Feil is a Melbourne based freelance documentary photojournalist with a particular interest in social issues and the human condition. Joseph has been photographing professionally for the past 2 years, predominantly editorial and portrait work for newspapers and magazines.
Joseph is also working on a number of personal projects covering a diverse range of subjects including raves and dance parties, the role of protest in Australian society, indigenous issues, urban sport and the corporate work environment.
Joseph is part of an emerging generation in Australian photojournalists that is documenting the world as they see it – with a focus on truth and strength of design.
Email: photoj@josephfeil.com
Website: www.josephfeil.com
Scooter Fantasies – Christian Aas
Scooter Fantasies
Scooter Fantasies began as a device in rebuilding a post- war society and along the way became an object of identity for youth culture. Today the scooter has morphed into a symbol of urban culture.
Scooter fantasies, follows our friend through assorted surreal situations based in the nature of our own reality.
Christian Aas
Christian is a 26 year old photographer who grew up in Norway. An early interest in photojournalism led him to study media at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology before relocating to Australia to undertake studies in Photography. He is currently based in Brisbane completing his studies at the Queensland College of Art.
His photojournalist background is evident in his style, which aims to generate something unexpected. Christian works mainly in fashion and editorial photography and his unconventional approach is what sets his work apart.
Email: christian@christianaas.com
Website: www.photochristian.com
World Square – Kris Baum
World Square
“Apparently I was also left in a car park by my mother, so photographing car parks is no doubt an emotional outlet for this traumatic event”.
The World Square Car Park photography was a commercial project for BrandCulture Communications who designed the car park signage.
Kris Baum
2000 – 2004 – Lived in London and studied photography at an Art College & Photofusion
2004 – Commissioned by Transport For London to photograph all tube stations being refurbished
2005 – Returned to Australia and started Kris Baum Photography Awards
2004 – Highly Commended ‘Guardian Observer Hodge Photography Competition’
2004 – Winner TNT travel magazine photography competition
2006 – 2 x silver medals AIPP Australia photography competition
Email: kris@krisbaum.com
Website: www.krisbaum.com
Just a moment, please – Thor Elias Engelstad
Just a moment, please
‘Just a moment, please’ explores the sub-cultural phenomenon of Japanese Harajuku fashion in which young people use bizarre extremes of costume and make-up to rebel against uniformity and norms of Japanese society in an apparent desire to create individual identity.
Thor Elias Engelstad
Coming from Norway, where he was a photography assistant for three years, Thor completed a creative advertising degree at the QCA in 2005 and has since decided to stay in Australia.
He has formed Engelstad Photography to fuse his love of art with his commercial creativity in fields such as advertising. Apart from his regular corporate work, he is involved in many diverse art projects and commissions. His artwork has been featured in several exhibitions in places such as the QCP, and is currently being represented by United Galleries. In the future Thor wants to bring his love of art to fashion photography.
Email: thor@engelstadphotography.com
Website: www.engelstadphotography.com
