stories

the broken hand

As a mother your child only has to stub their toe and you feel their pain.

My baby broke his thumb. Whilst I was feeling his pain we decided to record the event to show his brother when we got home.

To my boys: I love you dearly.

the giving house

He is an ex Catholic Priest with a passion for Buddhism. He took a vow of poverty some 10 years ago and relies on the daily encounters he has with people to take him through the journey of life. If he needs a new pair of shoes he knows that he will have an encounter and the shoes will arrive.

His home is known locally as the "Giving House". Everything in the house has been given to him and anyone in need can take anything… there is always another chair.

His door is open 24/7 to the homeless and needy, to someone who would just like a chat or to sit contemplate and pray.

He grows his own veggies, rears his own chickens and relies on the good people in his neighbourhood to help with food and other essentials.

He is the local hospital Chaplin and also lectures and studies at the University in Fremantle.

WA circus school

WA Circus School is based in Fremantle, and is a community within a community for resident and visiting artists from around the world. All are creative eccentrics in life. All have a different story to tell.

These pictures are part of an ongoing project about the people, their relationships with each other, the equipment and the quiet and somewhat quirky moments before the show goes on.

Some of the images here have been featured in the Magnum Photos Fremantle book 2010.

frontier Servces

Frontier Services are an organisation and major provider of aged care, health, family and community services to people in remote Australia. I was asked to spend 10 days travelling throughout the Pilbarra making pictures for the centenary book to be published in early 2012. I met with some extraordinary people who work for FS.

In the ten days I visited Karratha, Roeboure, Port Headland, Tom Price and New man. The sky was blue, the earth red, my horizons board-end, and my heart was filled with joy, sadness and joy again with stories and sights from local people.

I cant wait to go back.

bali (new!)

Bali - The Island of Gods and a Thousand Temples.

My first visit to Bali was friendly, warm (and on some days hot!), welcoming and wet! Ten days in Ubud experiencing the island’s pre-eminent centre for fine-arts, dance and music. Beautiful scenery, rice fields, mountains and stunning beaches. I stayed just outside the centre in a village atmosphere where the local people made you feel comfortable and went out of their way making suggestions of places to see and visit - and indeed for a small price would take you anywhere on the island you desired. Not having travelled to any Indonesian country before or any country where poverty is so very apparent, I was at times saddened by what I saw.

Intrigued by the early morning local market in the centre of Ubud, the stench, the colours, the gathering of so many people in one space selling groceries, offerings, cakes and clothes. Haggling over every last rupiah but coming away with some of the freshest and tastiest produce I have sampled in a while. I did not enjoy the animal markets were one could buy a bat, a purple chick or even a monkey. The animals looked sad and uncared for but on the whole the trip was a success.

Maybe next time we might try the dry season.

bali wedding (new!)

Whilst on holiday in Ubud Bali this year I was invited to attend and photograph a traditional Balinese Wedding Ceremony. I was honoured and very excited to accept the offer.

Packed into a tiny court yard, sprawled with fruits, flower arrangements and decorations we sat on benches and plastic chairs whilst ladies handed out Bali coffee, cakes and threw water and offerings everywhere. Traditional dress was worn by all including myself. Children ran around and made a nuisance of themselves as they do at every wedding I have ever attended and we sat for a long time waiting for the bride.

I watched the proceedings for almost 4 hours not knowing exactly what was going on. Coconuts, eggs, water, plants, anything and everything was blessed and offered to the Gods and in turn blessing the very special couple.

She looked glittery in gold and he looked handsome also in gold. Already a child on the way (which apparently is common place at a Bali wedding). Hours passed and finally after all the rigmarole of the day they got to update their relationship status on face book and party with their friends.

Somethings are the same the world over.