How did you become involved in Experimental Media Arts?

After studying film and writing, I moved onto working in video and cross-media stuff. I have always felt more of a connection with the moving image over "fine art" traditions.
Video was a natural progression because it combines sound, vision, performance and it doesn't cost too much to make. I like the challenge of video in that it's easy to make but hard to make good and that drives me. I studied Media Arts at RMIT
which opened my eyes to contemporary media arts theory and practice. I met some kindred spirits and began collaborating with other artists on my own and group projects.

DotMov, the precursor to Tape Projects was born during this time and we regularly curated screenings of experimental screen works. I received some funding back in 2002 through the Australia Council for the Arts and NOISE to make a short screen work. So began my work in video and my love/hate affair with the funding process for media art.

What projects are you working on now?

After a break from making my own work, I am about to start making photos and videos for a solo exhibition later this year in Melbourne.

I'm looking at suburban sprawl and its impact on Australian landscape and identity. I'll be driving to some strange where-the-burbs-meets-the-land sites on the outskirts of Melbourne and towns in regional Victoria, dressing up in colonial garb and a wig and
taking portraits and video. Won't jinx it by saying too much but am very excited and a little terrified about it all. Tape Projects have a couple of shows coming up in Melbourne and are traveling to Newcastle for Electrofringe and a bit of inter-city hobnobbing and a screening of tapes from our archive of good things. Outpost are also doing some gigs for the Darebin Music Feast and Electrofringe.

I'm trying to organise my life and book a ticket to New York - I received some
funding for a video residency next year at the Experimental Television Centre and Share NY.

What does your typical day entail?

At the moment, riding my bicycle from home to wherever and around during the day; thinking about the suburban sprawl project; stressing about something; many short phone calls about dinner and time of arrival home with my boyfriend; checking email hoping for something unbelievably fabulous; going to the studio and scribbling and
doodling; drinking a yummy coffee at one of Melbourne's fine establishments; reading before bed; watching the news; living like a total cheapskate because I'm broke and unemployed!

Did you go to art school/study arts?

Indeedy I did, a couple of times over, madness some might say. I completed a Creative Arts degree majoring in creative writing and film and photography at Melbourne Uni, followed by an Honours in Media Arts at RMIT, specialising in video.

What difficulties did you face upon graduation?

I think I stayed in the cocoon of university so long because I was very scared to venture out into the "real world". Because of this need for structure and security I finished uni and went straight into an insanely demanding community cultural development role, working with disadvantaged young people through art. I was so gung-ho and excited about my first real job I totally caned myself emotionally and
probably took on more than was humane.

I also applied for a few
grants/shows and got what I call the old "thin envelope" - "thanks but
no thanks". Ouch!