In Their Element - A Portrait Of Tamara Dean At Home
This is the first official photo from my series ‘In Their Element’ to be released. I was so surprised when I asked photographer Tamara Dean if she would be interested in playing a part in this project – she said yes before I’d even shown her the work (this is testament to how open and generous Tamara is as a person and artist). I’ve always loved and admired Tamara’s work for the hauntingly beautiful narratives, the level of intimacy and trust she shares with her subjects, and the freedom her images portray. It’s Tamara’s receptivity and abandon that made the experience of photographing her so special.
Working on this series (‘In Their Element’) has given me the opportunity to explore the quiet determination and solitude of the artistic spirit. The isolation. The combined resilience and openheartedness required to overcome the many challenges that artists face. This photograph was taken at Tamara’s home in Sydney’s southwest. Hanging in the background is a canvas of her work ‘The Pack’.
I’m delighted that this image is one of 40 photographs selected this year for the 2014 Head On Photographic Portrait Prize finals, and will tour with the festival from Australia to New Zealand, China and the U.S.
‘IN THEIR ELEMENT’ – This project is an exploration of the more intimate aspects of life as an artist away from the lights of the main stage.
A study of transition in the lives of these artists over an extended period of time.
30 years in fact.
I’ve spent the last four years documenting actors, photographers, painters, musicians and directors in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and around Europe.
26 more years of observation, exploration and wonder lie ahead (I will be 58 years of age on completion of this series).
My philosophy is that images are of a place and time. Never to be repeated.
I feel the inherent value of this project will be in the documentation of how each artist morphs and changes over time, and the evolution of the landscape that I find them within.
Where will they be in 10 years? 20 years?
I don’t know, but I hope that I will be there to document their journeys.