Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
In essence
I was 8- years-old when my family emigrated from Montenegro and settled in Newcastle. I spoke no English when we arrived and I wanted to learn the language quickly so that I could fit in. I was attracted to photography from an early age, and looking through our family albums, I was intrigued by the joyful faces. Because emigration is stressful, there were conflicts in my family, so I wasn’t satisfied by those faces. I wanted photography to reflect some aspect of the truth, not just happiness.
Coming from a working-class, migrant family, art wasn’t flagged as a possible career choice. I studied architecture for three years before quitting and going on to study graphic design. But innately, I am drawn to beauty and art.
I have been practising as a fine art photographer for over 20 years, while raising three children. Photography has helped me release my passionate side and given me the energy to create interesting works. I have been a finalist in many photographic competitions, including the National Photographic Portrait Prize, Canberra, three years consecutively and I have exhibited all over the world – Zurich, Venice and Manhattan.
The edit
I choose the person; I layer it with other concepts, to give the photograph depth. I am driven by psychology and space. I am curious to see how the subject is feeling, what they are thinking – I often photograph my daughter and mother, always wanting to understand them, and to capture their inner thoughts and true feelings.
I like looking at family dynamics, questioning what makes us human. My work is distinctive because of my curiosity about why we behave the way we do. This comes across in my portraits, the layering of the landscape with the figure, and the intricate and intimate relationship between the two. I love portraiture, the connection of the inner being and the outer manifestation.
Right now
I photograph every single day. It’s a need to be out, looking at the world. It’s probably due to being an 8-years- old in a new country. I didn’t know the language, so I observed. And I have done this throughout my whole life – observation, without judgment.
I approach people on the street, or in a café and ask – may I photograph you? I have thousands of photographs. My daughter Yumi has been a constant subject - on holidays, asleep, at the beach, in the hammock, common every-day photos, like street photography, in the moment.
The technique isn’t difficult; it’s the searching for photographs that work together, within that composition and the layering that requires skill and imagination. I play with the various levels of what is in the photographs, until that image is finished and I am happy with it.
Reconnecting
I feel like there are so many problems and suffering in our society, we can bring relief with art. Actually, we have disconnected from nature, and it’s bad for our physical and mental health. We need to enjoy it. We need it for our souls.
I love people appreciating my work. There is still such an aspirational part of me that comes from my youth – I need recognition, so that my parents will be happy with my success! I lost my father five years ago – it’s been a huge thing for me, where reality washes over and you are forced to look at yourself and reassess things.
I will continue with photography and the making of art. I want to bring something beautiful to the world.
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