ARTIST STATEMENT
Vivienne Kelly These photographic works journey into imagined and constructed habitats where mysterious and ancient life systems from deep-sea forests appear on land. The hidden wealth of the ocean floor offers an abundance of form, structure and microscopic life to be revealed. Such observations are evident in the intricate sketches of sea-life made by biologist Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919). Through studying various representations of marine life, I construct my own plant–like animal structures.

Many organisms from the ocean are bioluminescent and/or perform photosynthesis. These behavioural characteristics are the basis for expression in these photographs. I am conscious of the fact that the word ‘photo’ means ‘light’ and there is a deep relationship between plants and light in that their growth is powered by photosynthesis.

Born of a Peruvian mother (and with a grandmother descendant of the Incas) emphasis is placed on the 'power' of the sun through the worship of the Sun God 'Inti' who was at the center of the ancient Inca religon and mythology. In my photographs, the marine structures are symbolic of and often resemble and mimic the vessel and flute -like wind instruments of the ancient tribes of South America and this is also reflected in the titles of my works such as 'Aqua Flutes' and 'Mama Cocha' (Inca goddess of the Sea).

Using various light sources to physically illuminate these specially crafted forms, traditional photographic methods such as multiple and long exposures are combined to allow me to move through the frame of my camera and transform familiar elements of the landscape such as creeks, mangroves and beaches, emphasising relationships between marine forms and species of plants found on land.

In my work, light is used as a constructive and symbolic substance, expressive of this plant/light/photography connection.