Talented photographer
Claire Martin is a Perth-based artist who began studying Social Work, but since decided to attempt bringing social change via the medium of photography. One of the many intriguing speakers at this year's Semi-Permanent, the SP team caught up with her for an interview.
SP: Your photography evokes a sense of depth, politics and culture. Do you believe that this is a reflection of your background as a social worker?
CM: Well, just to clarify I never actually worked as a social worker, I just studied a degree in Social Work, with a minor in Anthropology. But... yes, these are interests of mine that strongly influence my work. Social Justice and Anthropology are my passions, photography is my tool and my creative outlet. I think documentary work in it's nature is about going deeper and working in issues of social justice is precipitated by a desire for change which is inherently political. The cultural inflection in my work comes from my desire to explore and to see and understand the unknown or foreign to me. I've always had a thing for the exotic and a disdain the for the ordinary (although I, myself, am your stock-standard middle-class Australian).
SP: You once said that you appreciate working with “quirky cultural niches...” on that note- what were your motives in respect to moving to Perth?
CM: Well, I moved to Perth because I was born here and I have family and friends here. It wasn't really a solid 'career' move to be honest, I just needed some home time. Of course “quirky cultural niches” can be found anywhere, I once accidentally took my mother to a Perth Masochistic Society show where a guy nailed his penis to a table. (I thought I was going to watch a photography documentary.) So despite my own pre-conceived ideas about Perth as parochial and fairly ordinary, there's always something weird going on behind closed doors, if your looking for it. Honestly though, I don't feel particularly inspired to photograph here as I'm not really into the whole “suburban” thing. Being away from my home helps me focus my energies and really slip into my photographer persona, so travel will always be an important part of my work.
SP: A picture can paint a story so, a picture can be very manipulative. Have you been exposed to an image which you blatantly recognised as distorting the truth?
CM: US Senator John McCain was photographed by a photographer for Time Magazine. The photographer was invited to his family Thanksgiving dinner. The photo that was published showed him wielding an electric carving knife with a maniacal grin and painting him in the light of a lunatic. It was very uncomplimentary. The photographer had in fact taken quite a nice photo of the family at the dinner table while John carved the turkey for them, but the photo editor cropped the image and completely changed its intent. Of course this can happen, even in reputable institutions, but I can't be so pessimistic in life as to question everything I see, I am basically a trusting person. We as information consumers have to make decisions on the content of what we see and read everyday as to weather we believe it is trustworthy and real. I generally take something at face value if it is presented by a reputable media company. I'm not going to believe what I read or see about a celebrity in New Idea, but I will in Vanity Fair. We all make our choices this way at the end of the day. If your really worried about it there's always those consumer watchdog sites you can check out to qualify what you've seen or heard in the media is true.
SP: What are some words of advice that you would have for some young photographer looking to make a living with their camera?
CM: If you want to have an artistic career in photography, where by you get to work in your own style and can dictate your own assignments, then you really need to be very clear about what you want and you have to have true passion. For me, I feel like I have no choice. I have to do this type of work, or I will be miserable. You have to be willing to sacrifice stability, be it financial or otherwise, because it's a long hard road, but when you are following your passion, it's a joyful one. There are plenty of ways to make good money with a camera. I wasn't interested in any of these, but I am interested in doing things my way and it's working out because I simply haven't given up trying. So I guess the advice is, know what you want, be dedicated and love what you do.
SP: Semi-Permanent brings together speakers from a broad range of disciplines including design, motion graphics, type and photography. Which other speaker are you most excited to hear from?
CM: I'd never heard of them before but United Visual Artists. I've never seen anything like it. It is such original and striking work in such an odd speciality. They deserve every bit of credit they get. Amazingly powerful, original and dynamic viewing. I'll definitely be checking out their lecture. Pixar, of course, who doesn't love those guys! And then probably the artists Sylvia Ji and Beastman because I'd like to hear their perspective on the “artistic pursuit” and of course because they do great work. Id like to check out everyone really, it's a great line up!
Semi-Permanent, Melbourne: September 17th and 18th. More at
semipermanent.com and
clairemartinphotography.com.