Elizabeth Dunn

New Media
Cairns

Mentor: Russell Milledge

Elizabeth Dunn's arts practice is rooted in portraiture and explores the notions of identity and self that are inherent in this genre. To date, her work has encompassed a range of media, from charcoal and paint to sculptural assemblage and more recently a shift into digital photography and video. The imagery presented is often highly personalised as works seek to investigate the formation of the individual and the perplexities and pressures that are brought to bear on the question - 'Who are you?'

Elizabeth views the practice of portraiture as a process of recording and questioning the contingent nature of identity and the internal and external perceptions thereof. She is interested also in questioning the line between public and private space and the opportunities to explore this via the medium of video. Seeking to pronounce and ultimately break down self-awareness, her process of making video work involves leaving sitters alone with the positioned camera, allowing them to essentially construct their own portrait without the inhibiting presence of another person.

Elizabeth's portraits intend to create some sense of appreciation of the communal search for and the evolving experience of a personal identity. Essentially, she sees them as celebrating the complexity, fragility and strength of the individual. She is excited by the prospect and privilege of being able to make a contribution to the documentation of the individuals who occupy this time and place. Elizabeth aims to offer some confirmation of our right to claim existence and declare - 'I am here'.