Already winning a Mandjar Art Award in March, Halls Head fine art photographer Louise Alexander has seen her career take off this year as she recently won an award in the 2020 Mullins Australian Conceptual Photography Prize.
Winning the prestigious Emergent Designs Award, first-time entrant Louise said she didn't expect to win a national prize.
"I never expect to win anything, although you always hope of course," she said.
"It was the same for the Mandjar Art Award at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre earlier this year - I attended the opening and almost fell over when I was announced the winner.
"2020 has been a very difficult year thanks to COVID-19, but it's also a year that has seen my career take off."
Winning with her photograph 'Beige Chair', Louise said the work was inspired by the idea of retreating when you need to.
"The photograph is about not wanting to be seen and beige is a colour to hide in," she said.
"I made this image in a hotel room in Sydney last year, I was over there to see the sights and was so excited but that day I woke up and just didn't want to leave the hotel room.
"The trip happened to fall on the anniversary of my Dad's death in 2016 and I just didn't want to see or talk to anyone.
"Instead the idea for 'Beige Chair' formed in my mind and I chose to spend the day creating rather than sight seeing."
Read more:
Now with two 2020 awards under her belt, Louise is working on a new series, which will be featured in a local exhibition next month.
"Right now all my time is spent planning, photographing, editing and looking after my family," she said.
"Anyone attending Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah next month for their re-opening exhibition may recognise a location or two in my new series 'Paradigm of the Butterfly'."
'Reflections | COVID-19', which features Louise's new series, opens Saturday August 29 till Sunday September 27 at Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah.
The works look back on what has been a very difficult and extraordinary few months due to COVID-19 restrictions.
