Interview Series 2020: Suzanne Phoenix

​Melbourne Art Review: Thanks for chatting with us Suzanne. Can you tell us about your work? Suzanne Phoenix: I am a photographer, artist, book and zine maker MAR: What comes first for you, the idea for a project or individual works or experiments that suggest a concept? SP: What comes first differs, sometimes it’s an individual photograph and sometimes an idea. I have many longterm projects that began simply as things of interest to me that developed into bodies of work. MAR: What are the key elements that must be present for you when creating a body of work? SP: Social commentary is a key element and having a personal connection is also important to me, whether to an individual, a cause or an aspect that connects me to childhood. MAR: Do you have what you might call an “artistic style”? SP: I think so.. MAR: Where would you say your style falls on a continuum between completely intuitive and intellectually formulated? SP: I think my style has it’s basis in being intuitive, I didn’t really have a thought out plan on my style. MAR: What has been the highlight of your career so far? SP: I’m going to give two. International Women’s Day event in 2020 at Hares and Hyenas. Isolation Portraits in Upper Yarra project including 30 households photographed and their own words published in a magazine. MAR: How do you know when a body of work is finished? SP: Not sure that I have too much experience in finishing bodies of work, I think I am still too young in my artistic career. But I do put milestones in place within bodies of work such as creation of a self-publication or exhibition etc. I consider the breadth and diversity of the work when assessing if a milestone is achieved. MAR: Is the idea of a body of work important to you? SP: Yes. My simplistic view is each individual artwork is important in order to create a body of work. MAR: Do you associate your work with a particular genre? And if so, how would you define that genre? SP: I don’t really. Possibly social documentary photographer. MAR: What professional or creative advice would you give yourself 10 years ago? SP: Always make sure your work is backed up in several locations and stop giving so much of your time and energy to your other jobs. MAR: What’s the most difficult thing about being an artist or creative in Melbourne and trying to produce and exhibit work? And how do you overcome those challenges? SP: Quite simply the cost of exhibiting is prohibitive and the opportunities for paid work and rates of pay. You can find Suzanne online here.