Vivienne Kelly Photography

ARTIST STATEMENT

These photographic works journey into imagined and constructed habitats where mysterious and ancient life systems from the ocean appear on land. The hidden wealth of the ocean floor offers an abundance of form, structure and microscopic life to be revealed. Such observations are evident in the intricate sketches of sea-life made by biologist Ernst Haeckel. Through studying his interpretations along with other visual representations of deep sea-dwelling life, I construct forms that depict their organic and majestic appearance. Using light to illuminate these forms within the landscape, traditional photographic methods such as multiple and long exposures are combined to create an imaginary and ephemeral world where terrestrial and oceanic landscapes merge into one. Some organisms from the ocean are bioluminescent, it is this kind of behaviour along with the characteristics of photosynthesis that are the basis for expression in these photographs. I am conscious of the fact that the word ‘photo’ means ‘light’ and there is a deep relationship between plants and light in that their growth is fueled by photosynthesis. In my work, light becomes a tool that is constructive and symbolic, expressive of this plant/light/photography interconnection.

Some responses to my work from various exhibitions:

Queensland Centre for Photography, July 2007

Vivienne Kelly uses the hidden wealth of the ocean floor to create hybrid terrestrial/oceanic landscapes, which border on the celestial. Radiant golden light illuminates her beautifully constructed worlds, casting fertile shadows across the imagined landscapes. For Kelly, light becomes a tool that is constuctive and symbolic. Suggestive of ancient life systems, her compositions are grounded in scientific observation and botanical research, re-imagined and re-invented as complex luminous habitats.

Judy Anderson

Arts writer and educator

Starter Space – Queensland Art Gallery/ for young emerging artists Nov 19^th - 3^rd April 2008

Kelly's striking photographic series explores the relationship between lights, plants and photography. Using a variety of traditional photographic techniques, Kelly illuminates oceanic forms in an ephemeral landscape.

QAG 2007/2008

Gadens Top Ten, 2007

Vivienne Kelly is a photographic artist who draws upon life from the ocean floor to create luminous organic forms. Conscious that the word 'photo' means 'light', Kelly draws our attention to the deep relationship between plants and light.

Kelly graduated with a Bachelor of Photography (First Class Honours) from QCA in (2007). She has exhibited extensively over the last year including 'Neo Eco' at the Redlands Art Gallery as part of the Queensland Festival for Photography (2006), and 'Photomorphogenisis' at the Queensland Centre for Photography (2007).

Renai Grace

Gadens Brisbane Arts Curator

EXTRACT Environments: Real and Imagined

Approaching a photograph by Vivienne Kelly the viewer stumbles across glowing forms in the darkness, aquatic forms made of light, growing in landlubber's garden. Kelly describes her works as 'new' environments..... Reminiscent of exotic plant/animal life found on the ocean floor, her created organic constructions often stand amongst the average backyard assortment of flowers and grass. This juxtaposition draws attention to the structural formation of both the created and natural plant life within the photograph.... Ellie Buttrose 2006

BIOGRAPHY

Vivienne Sofia Kelly

Born 1979 in Münster, Germany

Moved to Australia in 1980 and lived in Hobart, Tasmania.

In 1988, moved to Brisbane, Qld.

Began studying photography in 2002 at Queensland College of Art, Griffith

University majoring in Photographic Art.

2003 Exhibition ‘Superb Moonchips’ held at Queensland College of Art

2004 Graduated with Bachelor of Photograpy – Queensland College of Art

2004 Bachelor of Photography graduating exhibition ‘56’ held at Queensland College of Art - 8^th-12^th November

2006 Exhibition ‘Neo Eco’ An exhibition of photo media by emerging South East Queensland artists held at the Redland Art Gallery - coinciding with the Queensland Festival of Photography

2006 Photograph ‘Seagate' published in edition No. 61 of Eyeline magazine

2006 Exhibition ‘Extract-Environments: Real and Imagined’ held at Metro Arts- 26^th April - 6^th May

2006 Finalist in the Artworkers Awards – Exhibition held at Raw Space Galleries 20^th October - 1^st November 2006

2006 Honours Graduation Show 'Hot Pool' - Queensland College of Art Griffith University- 29^th November - 3^rd December 2006

2006 Finalist in the Thiess Prize - Dell Gallery, QCA. Exhibition held at Dell Gallery 29^th November 2006 - 4^th February 2007

2006 Solo show ‘Seagate’ presented by N&A held at ark atelier, Spring Hill 12^th December

2007 Graduated with First Class Honours – Bachelor of Photography

2007 Exhibition “Photomorphogenesis” - Queensland Centre for Photography 1^st July – 22^nd July

2007 'Plant – Shadow – Light' with Vivienne Kelly. Five photography workshops commissioned Gallery of Modern Art. Event: Sunday at the Gallery x 2/ Smith Family/ Members Morning/ Foundations

2007 'Gadens Top Ten' exhibition. Held by Gadens Lawyers and organised by Renai Grace and Ben Hampe of Positive Solutions

2007 Metro Arts Show – Photography / Mater Mothers Collection

2007-8 Solo exhibition at “Starters Space” exhibit, Watermall Café, Queensland Art Gallery” (November 2oth – April 2^nd, 2007 – 2008)

2008 Artist Talk – Queensland Art Gallery 28^th February

2008 Solo exhibition for the Queensland Festival for Photography held at Joel Fine Art, Brisbane 26^th April - 25^th May / Artist Talk – Joel Fine Art, 27^th April

2008 Group Exhibtion – Kiln Gallery, Brisbane

Kelly currently resides in Brisbane.