Originally from Australia, Sue Parkhill was educated at the Royal College of Art in London, where she now lives and works. Her photographs offer a loving vision of the world around her. She captures the tender beauty of the ordinary. The numerous ad campaigns and editorial spreads Parkhill has produced are remarkable for their natural authenticity.
Where does your photography come from ?
Sue Parkhill : My photography is an extension of my personality. It is who I am.
When is the decisive moment for you?
S.P : The decisive moment is a very real thing for me. It has to be instinctive. I don’t want to learn it, or remember what worked best last time.
What inspired your work or your series?
S.P : I use photography to make my way through the world.
What link is there between your commercial work and your artistic work ?
S.P : My personal work is only me, I do exactly as I wish. My commercial work is me in collaboration with the art director and in turn, with the client – we have a mission and a deadline. It can be a very exciting way to make work.
Which is a bigger priority: a large ad campaign or a gallery show ?
S.P : It is very unfashionable to say but I am not a very goal orientated person. I find that people who are pushing themselves to a specific place tend to miss out on all the possibilities along the way. I might be wrong but I am enjoy working and making work and would be ready to say “yes please” to a great ad campaign or an amazing exhibition….
What trends have you been interested in lately?
S.P : Richard Wentworth, always. Sea dragons. Seedlings. recycling. Vectidraco daisymorrisae. Inuit kayaks. Capoeira
REPRESENTATION
Europe :
EYEMADE – www.eyemade.com
New York :
JMI – www.jmireps.com
Interviewed by Severine Morel
