Describe the ideas behind your work short–listed for Top Arts.

During the year I aimed to capture elements of Melbourne’s city which are unseen by the general public. I liked the idea of capturing Melbourne through photography from locations where people had to ask how and where I captured the image. My images aimed to capture the entire space from each of my locations. A 360 degree panorama enables the viewer to observe the entire space in a single image.

What were your starting points? Where did your inspiration come from?

Whilst on Christmas school holidays I went to a photographic exhibition put on by RMIT university graduate class of 2005. The exhibition was named seg_ue and was held at Federation Square in the Atrium. The work was amazing and I was especially inspired by photographer Rodrick Bond who captured some panoramic photographs of various locations throughout Europe. After seeing his work I was inspired to go and create my own panoramic images of Melbourne.

What media/materials did you select and why?

I chose to use photography as it has been a passion of mine and gives me the ability to capture almost any environment. I chose to print my images onto canvas because it is the medium typical of the fine art world and I am taking art off the streets and making it accessible to a wider audience.

How did new technologies influence your ideas or working methods?

Through digital photography I was able to take dozens of photographs in sequence from each of my locations and be given instant results of the image quality. Then, using special panoramic editing and stitching software I was able to arrange and blend the photographs seamlessly to form one 360 degree image.

What challenges/difficulties/discoveries did you encounter in producing your work?

Gaining access to specific locations such as rooftops in Melbourne CBD was a challenge. Initially my knowledge of photographic editing programs was limited. However, in order to complete my work I sought out online help through tutorials and spoke to professionals. Another challenge was capturing the image in the right lighting conditions. This meant returning to locations on several occasions, sometimes at midnight or early morning.

What influences from other sources were significant in the production of your work? For example: other artists, literature, media, historical or political events. How did this impact on the development of your work?

The inspiration for my folio came from the street artists themselves (who are unidentified through use of pseudonym) as well as some of the great panoramic photographers. David Hockney’s ‘My Mother’ showed the possibilities of montage, a technique that I could employ with panoramic photography. Films such as ‘Style Wars’ and ‘Beat Street’ taught me the origins of graffiti culture whilst ‘RASH’ documented the emerging street art culture in Melbourne.

What resources did you access e.g. Libraries, galleries, newspapers, magazines, art programs, websites, films, events and performances.

I avidly read everything that I could get my hands onto that related to photography and art. I regularly visited commercial, public and artist–run galleries during 2006, including Bus, Per Square Metre, NGV, Flinders Lane Gallery and City Lights – Until Never Gallery.

What exhibitions did you see in 2006? Was there a specific exhibition that influences the development of your ideas and working methods?

The most influential exhibitions were those run at City Lights – Until Never Gallery in Hosier Lane. It was here that I was given the opportunity to meet several of the street artists who featured in my work.

Did you see Top Arts VCE 2005? If so, what was your response?

As a prospective year 12 studio arts student I attended Top Arts 2005. The exhibition inspired and motivated me to do my best in 2006.

Did you refer to the NGV website – how relevant or useful was this site? Any other sites you found useful?

I enjoyed reading through profiles of artists on the NGV website.

Discuss any ethical or moral issues or concerns evident in your work?

The scope of my work was varied. I did not have any ethical issues in my city view images, however I did have concerns when it came to my graffiti images. I am photographing other people’s artwork. This was a moral issue to me, however I justified this by creating views which are not simply visible to the human eye. I am also changing the medium, by taking the art from the streets and putting it onto canvas.

Did you consider presentation and conservation issues in the process and production of your work?

I used Print Guard to protect my work from any sunlight and damaging effects of ultraviolet light. I want my images to last as long as possible.

What advice would you give to students undertaking Art or Studio Arts?

Students should start thinking about what they want to achieve before the year commences. Go to as many galleries as possible and familiarise yourself with the fine art world. Be passionate about your work.

What were the highlights of your studies in 2006?

Being supported and recognised by those around me including family, friends and teachers. Fulfilling my vision and seeing the final work on canvas was the highlight of 2006.

Are you planning to pursue a career in the arts? What will you be doing in 2007?

I plan to study photography at university in 2007. I have applied for fine arts courses as well as applied photography.