The Melbourne University's Diversify Festival (Mudfest) is the largest student arts event in Australia. Held biennially, it showcases new and innovative work representing the political, social and cultural concerns of student artists across a large variety of art forms including visual, writing, music and fashion.

Mudfest9

Monday August 22nd - Saturday September 11th, 2005

Mudfest9 featured collaborations, ideas and projects from students across all faculties and backgrounds of Melbourne University. The three week festival encompassed over 70 different events as well as other universities including La Trobe University, Deakin University, RMIT University and Victoria College of Arts.

Furthermore, it provided a snapshot of the possibilities that arise when students are inspired.

The Southeast Asia Trail - from urban to rural

 

 

 

This exhibit was the larger of the two displays I contributed to the festival, showcasing 28 photographs of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, which were taken on a solo trip in June 2004. The highlight of this display was the special evening viewing, which kicked off at 6pm on the first Friday night of the opening. Keener guests arrived well before 6 (we hadn't even set up yet!). My gorgeous best friend, Sue, greeted guests as they arrived, while my other equally beautiful, partner-in-crime Wynni, helped me co-host the evening. By 6:30pm, the gallery was buzzing with noise and activity.

The night itself had been initially designed to celebrate the hard work that went into putting the exhibit together with the guest list exclusively of just family and friends. However, as things progressed over the months preceding, the evening viewing grew to a much larger, marketed project. By the end of the night, I had met many photography enthusiasts, some of whom I had never met before and a large majority of the guests, I had only been acquainted with once previously.

All in all, the blood, sweat and tears was well worth it with the success of over 80 guests in attendance at the evening viewing alone and more than 150 people over the three week period. The silent auction for the photos held on the night resulted in five photographs sold to their highest respective bidders. Half of all the proceeds went towards the World Vision Tsunami Appeal.

A special thanks to the Melbourne University Union and my family and friends who helped make the exhibit a great success!

Light in Darkness

 

 

 

Night photography is my specialty and it is, in my opinion, what I do best. This display featured 12 photos of popular and architecturally significant locations in Melbourne. Others include popular water sites ranging from tranquil docks to warm, vivid sunsets. Through these photographs, I wanted to demonstrate fluidity and stillness amongst an often chaotic city lifestyle. Unlike The Southeast Asia Trail exhibit which ran concurrently, these photos have a distinct mood due to their sharp contrasts and defined colours.