What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
There was so much unlearning to be done, I hadn’t realised it until it was poured out on paper. It’s the role of institutions like that to programme you, right? When you decide to leave, there are little mechanisms available to aid the transition. This project helped move a lot of the grief associated. It affirmed to me that I was not the problem in that system and I was so much more resilient than I gave myself credit for.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
Little row boats in fjords and lakes became a bit of a symbol of hope. They were places I usually sat to write and reflect.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
I think conversations with people I’ve identified as mentors and my best mates heavily influenced how I pursued this project. I think various streams of music subconsciously made its way into the project and that’s reflected through some of the sentiments shared in the book. Krystle Wright 's episode in the documentary series Photographer inspired a fresh sense of adventure and probably sent me on my way to Iceland.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Culling images — it’ll be the death of me. I’m so sentimental about every photograph I make along the way.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
I’m a Thai food lover. Doodee Boran in Brisbane is pretty good for the street food vibe, gotta have their Som Tum and barramundi.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Field Notes of a Problem Child to the Navy . Soundtrack by Amyl and The Sniffers (legendary band).

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Elise Blanchard: her documentary work in Afghanistan and conflict zones, portraiture of women and children stops me in my tracks without fail. Every element of her work is brilliant. Christina Simons: her black and white documentary imagery has been a large source of inspiration.

Annabelle Reidy

Annabelle is a black-and-white analogue photographer currently based in Meanjin (Brisbane). She draws on and explores themes of vulnerability, grief, belonging and interconnectedness.

www.instagram.com/filmofreid

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