Smoking dreams Print

I was born in the 50's and have been a photographer ever since I discovered at the age of 15 I was very good at it. Even though I have worked for magazines and clients my heart is in the spiritual and poetic realms. I am one of the photographers among many who have gone from large format black and white negatives and working in a real 'smelling darkroom" to the digital age. I remember when one image counted for something and it was rarely changed from the original exposure and talent was talent. The photographs in the Musing with the Fishes Series which were exhibited at the Shepparton Art Gallery are not digitally changed in any way apart from exposure - they are real photographs. Here is my Artist's statement from that exhibition. This work represents our relationship to the world as mirror. As I relate with water I become connected to the colours and dimensions of my feelings. Water in the outer landscape attracts a response from my inner psychological elements. Gazing into a flowing stream, my thoughts journey into the past, with memories of childhood and old relationships flowing into consciousness. A pool with ever expanding rings invites inner contemplation with my soul and its purpose. The first spark of life represented by a drop of water landing in a perfectly smooth pool of potential, our individual efforts spreading ever so further outwards, leaving rings behind like the rings in a tree but continually breaching forwards making waves in the world. When I look into a reflection I am less distracted by the shapes, colors and adornments of the physical world and peer ever so deeper into the inner dimensions which harbour our feelings, thoughts, memories and experiences. Abstract patterns dance and swirl on the waters surface exposing haunting shapes and patterns that on closer inspection look like spirits encapsulated in water, made visible by elemental fusion. A gentle bubbling stream soothes and heals damaged nerves brought on by the incessant mental chattering of worldly stimulation and interaction. I believe when we are completely overwhelmed by modern living we need to remember nature, because within its realm there is truth and peace. Water takes on many forms, transforming into gas, solids and liquids, representing the building blocks of life in the universe and the transformative nature of life itself.