2019

A literal sign discovered in a ‘fish and chip’ shop in Moscow revealed itself over the peak of a steep side street inspiring the title and the intention of this body of work. Created in February and March of 2018 during an artist residency in St.Petersburg, Russia, this collection of images was inspired by wandering the streets trying to photograph the urban landscape after working extensively in the wild empty landscapes of Iceland previously. Images paired like a storyboard or single images appearing like cinema stills create visual anecdotes about the idea of ‘signs’ or receiving messages from the universe.

St. Petersburg and Moscow were a treasure trove of magical sights and visual gifts that may seem mundane to a local but fascinating to the visitor. Most places are captured or documented in the most compelling way through the eyes of a foreigner and I was most fascinated by the very ordinary details of the city streets. Architectural details covered in icicles and the way nature makes itself present even in the urban landscape, bird footprints in the snow or big winter clouds competing for space with the industrial smoke clouds on the horizon.

Ancient glass windows in many of the buildings created magical polarising effects when viewed through the camera lens creating a view you can truly only see via photography. This collection invites the viewer to invent new meanings and narratives for the works which continue my creative explorations in autobiographical photography, new landscapes and using the camera to reveal acts of magic not visible with the naked eye.

Installation view, St Heliers Street Gallery, Abbotsford Convent. Victoria, Australia. 2021