The Runup

The distance to take-off is calculated by many factors. PAX and luggage weight, wind direction, wind speed, aircraft type, model and rating, aircraft weight, runway distance, temperature, on-board fuel load, traffic elevation etc. The Dash 8-400 typically requires a takeoff distance of 1,425 meters at maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and sea level with standard atmospheric conditions, while the takeoff distance for a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner requires around 2,600 meters, assuming ideal conditions (sea level, standard temperature, and maximum takeoff weight). In dark, rainy conditions, today's fleet heave on, draw speed, nose up. Gain air.

St Georges Basin + Cloth

On trips to the coast, I take a little scrap of fabric and steep it in the ocean - a harmless relic for incorporation into later works. This scrap of cotton bedsheet, sourced for free from an old antique store, was close to potential disaster in the winter current at a beach near St George's Basin, in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.

The water was freezing, so I only swam briefly, snorkelling enough to see several glassy fish cruising close by. While my intrepid brother and sister snorkelled the bay, my Dad surveyed the coast. Back on shore, I stooped to the sealine, fabric in hand, the next wave.

Thinking on it, this ritual has to do with building a relational spirit within the cloth. It's a place-based practice, although the dried result is not entirely obvious as a narrative to others. The experience is lived - a fine day, sun, winter, sand, cold ocean, family - but it's a meditative process, it puts my mind at ease, reflecting personal tales.

Then, standing at the shore, I felt a loosening. My body strap gave way, ditching my camera with an unceremonious plop in the wet sand behind me. Fortunately, with a minimal fresh water rinse and manual dusting, it looked ok. I tested it - it was fine, no harm done. I dried the cloth in the overhang of a Banksia tree.

Hold Hands Spring Tide - Winner of the Tertiary Prize - Libris Awards 2025

I'm excited to announce I have been selected as the winner of the Libris Awards Tertiary Category prize winner of 2025! I’m so grateful for this acquisitive award. It’s an honour to exhibit alongside 60 brilliant and innovative artists working in the artist book format. I’d like to thank Artspace Mackay and everyone behind the Libris Awards. I’d also like to thank my wonderful partner Jack and my family, in particular my sister Helen who helped me recover some of the dubious detritus that ended up going in the book. Lastly, thank you to Rebecca and Deidre at the ANU School of Art and Design.

You can see the Libris Artist Book Prize exhibit till the 14th of September. But, because HOLD HANDS SPRING TIDE has been acquired as part of the gallery prize, I believe it can also be requested for viewing in the future!