Karen Waller — juliewang

As we unraveled the layers of her interview, it became evident that the roots of creativity often intertwine with the memories of our formative years. Karen’s childhood stories echo a universal truth among artists, prompting a reflection on the rich mosaic of inspiration that lies within the recesses of our early experiences. It serves as a compelling reminder that when embarking on a creative endeavor, revisiting the cherished moments of our youth can be a wellspring of profound ideas.

What sets Karen apart is not only the sentimental journey she undertakes but also the meticulous craftsmanship evident in each of her photographs. The impeccable details, carefully curated from inception to post-editing, speak volumes about her artistic finesse. Her perspective on repetitive shooting to refine one's skills, echoes through her work, demonstrating that mastery is cultivated through dedicated practice.

Moreover, the resonance between her approach to Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and her painting background evokes a powerful connection between our creative roots and the mediums we choose to express ourselves. In her art, we witness a symphony of familiarity and expertise, a testament to the influence our personal experiences wield on the canvas of our creations.

Join me in this exploration of an artist whose lens not only captures moments but also weaves them into a tapestry that bridges the past and the present. Through her, we are reminded that in the realm of creativity, our roots, our memories, and the stories of our old times are the guiding stars illuminating the path to profound and enduring artistry. Life is your art.

1.Can you tell us a bit about your background in art and how you transitioned into photography?

In talking about my background in art, it is important to provide some context around my childhood. I can trace my love of creating back to my childhood and to the people in my family who supported my passion for painting and drawing. Another aspect to this, is the fact that I lived in country towns in South Australia. This is so important to who I am today and to my art practise. My dad worked in a bank, and we moved yearly in my seven years at primary school.

The places we lived were diverse with unique landscapes and wildlife. As a child growing up in the 1970’s, we spent much of our time outside exploring the world with the inherent freedom of our generation. It was during these years that I learnt to value an appreciate nature and the landscape. I have no doubt that the people in these communities also left an impression. This history ties in with the genres and subjects I photograph today.

When I finished secondary school, I studied visual art at uni majoring in painting and drawing. After uni, I continued with painting but wasn’t equipped with the practical knowledge around how to be an artist in the real world and I pursued other work and further study. My desire and need to create, took me on a new path and my photographic exploration began in the 90’s with a Polaroid camera. I loved how the image emerged before your eyes in such a magical way. I also loved that the photograph could be manipulated by drawing on the surface of the photograph as the image emerged. I loved this pathway into photography, but over time, I wanted more control over the outcome of my image. I then bought an SLR camera, pursued further study and set up a darkroom at home. The next transition was into digital technology.

2.What motivates you as a photographer? Is there a specific message or theme you aim to convey through your work?

I am motivated to tell stories. If I am capturing a portrait, my aim is to tell the story of my subject and reveal this to my audience. This process can be complex, and it may take time to elicit the story and to resolve ideas around how to convey the portrait story through an image. The challenge that this presents is enriching. I am motivated by the beauty I see around me, particularly in nature. The beauty in nature is often represented as transformation over time in my work. There is beauty in decay and how the passage of time, leaves an indelible mark, is something I am drawn to. I am drawn to stories and themes around darkness and light; imperfection and perfection; strength and vulnerability. These themes weave their way into all my images. In this, there is a desire to understand my own identity and sense of self by exploring these themes. My current portrait project is around growing older and continuing to live life passionately. I draw incredible inspiration from my subjects and their stories and how they unintentionally add value to my life. I love the idea of seemingly everyday people who have lived extraordinary lives.

3.Your photography covers a wide range of subjects, from landscapes to portraits to floral and plant photography. What draws you to these diverse subjects?

I am drawn to diverse subjects because it creates opportunities to capture images anywhere. Photography is about how we see and by being open to photographing a variety of genres, I am fine-tuning my perception. Also, I am simply photographing the things I love and what I love to do. Being in the landscape and connecting with nature provides great solace and solitude. As mentioned, I am inspired by the stories that reside in all of us and it is a privilege when I build trust and a connection with my subjects allowing their stories to be shared.

4.How would you describe your aesthetic taste when it comes to your photography, and how do you believe this taste is reflected in your approach to capturing images?

This is an interesting question. There are certain qualities I like to see in my work and there are certain aesthetic values which are always considered. Simplicity and composition are elements which are always important to the overall strength and aesthetic result in my work. I really enjoy long exposure images because there is a wonderful quality to the movement which reminds me of the brushstroke. It is almost as though it has been created by an artist using a brush. I love black and white and how it can simplify an image. I also love color and this reflects my background in painting.

5.From your Instagram posts, I find your ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photos are stunning. Why did you choose this technique into your photography, and how do you feel this technique aligns with your artistic expression and vision?

I had been exploring long exposure photography for several years and it was the painterly quality which I really enjoyed. It was a connection to my background as a painter. At the beginning of Covid and lockdown here in Adelaide, the need to create was important. Out of necessity, I began to look to my garden for inspiration and subject matter because of lockdown restrictions. It was at this time, that I began to photograph the agave plants and experiment with ICM. I am drawn to the agave because it has such a beautiful form, and they are plentiful here in gardens. I was exploring and developing a technique and I find it aligns with my background as a painter. It is imperfect and imprecise, and you are creating brush-like marks in the images.

The other important reason for using these techniques, is because it captures the passage of time and gives life and energy to the subject in a single frame. This technique is a way of telling the story of nature and it how it transforms over time.

6.How do you envision your work reaching out to viewers, and what kind of emotions or reactions do you aim to evoke with your photography?

Through my work, I want my audience to see the world with fresh eyes and this is an important role as an artist. I want my audience to notice a world previously unseen to them. In my work, I attempt to find the beauty in the everyday world around us and to also challenge the audience view of how we define beauty. This is a response that I am trying to elicit in all my work. I want my audience to feel something, and this may be expressed as joy, sadness, or empathy for example. There may be times when my work challenges the viewer, but it is ultimately about eliciting an emotional response, and this is an important element in the success of communicating an idea. Also, there is also a desire for people to connect with the humanity of my portrait subjects. It can make us feel less alone if we can connect to the stories of shared experience.

7.In your opinion, what do you believe is the most important aspect or element in the world of photography that every photographer should prioritize or focus on?

Communication and telling the story of the subject through the image is very important in my work. Ultimately, we have many visual tools at our disposal, and we use these creative tools to tell the story. In saying this, it is also important to remember that a story can be simple and simply told visually. There are so many components in the visual language but for me, composition is a fundamental ingredient to a successful image. In a world now flooded with images created using AI, it is honesty and authenticity that I value. This authenticity comes from human connection and how nuanced these interactions can be. I am searching for real emotion and not something that has been constructed. In my portrait work, it is the interaction between myself and my subject which is vital to my work.

8.As an artist, what are your thoughts on revisiting and photographing the same subject multiple times versus exploring new subjects? How do you believe this aspect of creativity influences your work?

I think it is beneficial to revisit the same subject and this comes from my experience with ICM and trying to improve my technique capturing the agave. I revisited the subject repeatedly and this exploration is ongoing. Because ICM, or Intentional Camera Movement, is creative and imprecise, you will need to shoot many frames to get a good result. The great value in this is the ability to take creative risks and to be prepared to fail repeatedly. Revisiting the same subject can be a way to master a technique which is specific to a particular subject, and the repetition is an opportunity to understand what is and isn’t working. The other thing I love about revisiting a subject, is that you have an opportunity to find new way to tell the story of your subject and that is a wonderful creative challenge. I am always searching for new subjects to explore and find great value in both approaches.

9.Could you share your thoughts on your unique photographic style and the journey of how you developed it? What advice would you give to aspiring photographers looking to define their own distinct style?

It is interesting when someone describes my ‘unique photographic style’ because I find it difficult to pinpoint what that looks like. If others see this, it must exist. I think that the most important advice I can give to aspiring photographers looking to define their own style, is to draw inspiration from the work of others, but do not imitate. One of the drawbacks of imitation, aside from plagiarism, is that you are not going through the process of developing your technique and learning through your own mistakes and successes. We all need to find our own distinctive voice as creatives and that comes from the doing the work. Be inspired by other people’s work and then find a way to tell the story in your own unique voice. Experiment and photograph genres and subject matter which make you feel inspired. A distinctive style will evolve with dedication to developing your technical and creative repertoire. Creativity is important because this is where risk taking helps us discover our unique style and individual voice.

10.What are your thoughts on the artistic dimension of photography, and how has your perception of it evolved throughout your journey as a photographer?

My views around photography have changed over the many years I have been using a camera to make images. Before digital photography, I had the view that photography was a tool to essentially capture and represent reality. My view now is that a camera can represent reality, but it can also be used as a creative tool to paint with light. Photography and how we use this as a creative tool is only limited by our imagination. My creative journey and my perception of the artistic dimension of photography is much less defined and restrictive than it was originally. Technological advancement has contributed to this as my work has evolved.

Thanks Karen and Please Find More Her works @karenwallerphotography

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