'Alpine', Victoria
In the first few years of living in Melbourne, I’d come to understand a culture I wasn’t exposed to in my rural NSW hometown. Every year snow enthusiasts, tourists, sports professionals and winter lovers flock to the fields from around the state, making the most of the short snow season.
When picturing an Australian landscape, red clay, eucalyptus trees, blue skies and endless horizons may come to mind. ‘Alpine’ showcases a hidden aspect of an Australian lifestyle, which juxtaposes this common perception.
I wanted to encapsulate the relationship between human and the mountain range; magnifying just how small we are in relation to the environment around us, and also creating a sense of appreciation that the ski-goers have for the slopes.
Artist Notes:
This series continues to be one of my favorite creations. It represents more than just photos of a snow season; it also marks an interesting time in my life when my turbulent long-term relationship was coming to an end, and I was working at a toxic workplace that was also about to come to an end.
When I reflect back on these photos, they remind me of a time when I was fiercely working towards independence and allowing creativity to guide my path.
Taking the photos was by far the most fun part. There were two spare seats on the plane, so I brought my parents along for the ride—Dad in the front, Mum in the back with me. Dad was enjoying the ride and taking videos, while Mum was getting heavily motion-sick, looking as pale as a piece of paper. I was shooting the photos out the window, but I struggled as the speed and force of the plane’s movements kept forcing the window shut. My mum, bless her soul, saw my struggles and propped the window open with her foot, all while vomiting into a sick bag. Thanks to her, the photos continued. What a hero!
After the shoot, when I was editing the photos back in Melbourne, I hit a major creative block. With the circumstances of my life at the time and the lack of direction, I found myself in a bad headspace. A turning point came when my good friend Nick de Bruin gave me valuable feedback on my edits. From there, I regained a sense of direction, and it helped me get through to the end. A few months later, I was exhibiting my images at one of my favorite bars in Melbourne, surrounded by my closest friends.
I’m reminded of the euphoria I felt during that time—an overwhelming sense of joy and freedom, born from both creative expression and personal growth. It's a reminder of how far I'd come and the endless possibilities ahead.