Old scratch junction

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I’ve been working primarily on my photographic woodblock pieces. They usually end up on mulberry paper, and sometimes on stretched raw calico. Recently, many of these works have featured images of orchestras and conductors, as well as frames from various video pieces.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
I’m learning to appreciate the delicacy of the materials I use. The paper wrinkles and tears at the slightest touch. It has an elegance that requires care—not only from me as the artist, but also from anyone who acquires a piece.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
I keep a list of words and phrases in the notes on my phone, which I refer to while working in order to find further purpose or potential titles. For example: buzo and coke, players&game, old scratch junction, etc.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
I’m always listening to music while I work—whether it’s jazz, hip-hop, or classical. I absolutely love the releases from rapper VNDRE , and I’ve been working closely with him to create cover art for his projects.

I also have regular conversations with my close friend and fellow artist, Christopher Savill. We talk a lot about our practices, ideas, and many things unrelated to the arts, and those discussions often find their way into my work in subtle ways.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
I’ve been wanting to create larger pieces, but the lack of space and storage has made that quite challenging and, at times, frustrating. I feel a bit stuck with most of my work remaining at a similar scale, and I would really love to have the space to expand and experiment with larger transfer processes.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
My favourite place to eat in Melbourne would have to be Don Tojo, in Carlton. It’s right near my house, affordable, and very filling. The karaage chicken curry is my go-to.

Which studios, laboratories, or workshops have you collaborated with recently or would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I haven’t collaborated with any studios, labs, or workshops recently. It’s something I’d be interested in doing in the future, though.

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.
A good friend of mine, Theodore Dryden, is a great inspiration to me. Over the past year, his work has expanded both compositionally and in its use of colour, especially when compared to the mixed-media and collage pieces he was creating just a year ago. He’s also a wonderful person. Austin Augie is another creative who greatly inspires me. His short video documentaries are always exceptional and consistently carry a weight that I really admire in video work.

That’s just to name a few—I’m surrounded by many artists who constantly inspire me to improve and push beyond my current level of practice. I owe a lot to all of them.