The Duality Experiment
Photographs by Shannyn Higgins
An individual with a ground-breaking project that not only united her own creative process with others, but connected emotions with words, and thoughts with charcoal lines; birthing a series of truly original pieces through the process of Duality.
Duality began as a passion project for photographer Shannyn Higgins. She wanted to recognise the hard working artists she’s had the privilege of working with and explore their individuality. The idea to meld words with art and bridge the gap between different genres and artist demographics helps showcase the narrative of the project.
Shannyn blind pairs words from twenty-five writers with twenty-five visual artists, providing the artists with seven days and a piece of blank cotton-rag paper to create. All artists were photographed in their creative spaces with a 50mm lens, available light, half an hour to chat and to capture the environmental factors influencing their work.
Having now photographed 100 emerging and well established artists in both Vancouver and Melbourne, Shannyn intends to continue exploring Duality in other cities.
Duality is self funded and created with love. It could not have been accomplished without all of the talented writers, visual artists and the ongoing help from Kendall Munns, Erica Wilk, Becky Philpott, Cory Philpott, Tess McCabe, Katie Huisman, Louise Corry and Mischa Oak.
Anthony Carew | Anthony Carew is a Melbourne-based writer and critic. He has presented the program The Last International Pop Underground on RRR, Australia’s oldest independent broadcast, for the past fifteen years.
“After I die, dress me nice, bury me at sea, delete my tweets, wipe my hard-drive, burn my old journals, contest my will, make gig flyers from my death certificate, take my hologram on tour, burnish my legacy, tarnish my memory.
Then remember to cry, sometimes.”
Aida Sadic | Based in Melbourne, Aida Sabic is a self-taught artist who works in a variety of mediums and styles, including realistic portraiture, figurative work and stylised illustrations, exploring both the light and dark aspects that come with telling a story.
Nicholas J. Johnson | Nicholas J. Johnson knows scams. After decades of rubbing shoulders with fraudsters and liars, he now works as a performer, writer and consultant, educating the public about the tricks of the con artist’s trade. He is author of two novels: Chasing the Ace and Fast & Loose. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and daughter.
Matthew Henry | Matthew Henry is a Melbourne based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans photography, design, digital, storytelling and painting. Fascinated by people, beauty, adventure and landscape, Henry explores how we engage with place and the ability for events to change our lives.
“There’s a spot on my back, just to the right of my heart. You place your hand there, fingers open, palm firm and it’s just magic.
I’m not afraid with a hand on my back.”
Joel McKerrow | Joel McKerrow is a writer, speaker, educator, community arts worker and one of Australia’s most successful internationally touring performance poets. Joel was the third ever Australian representative at the Individual World Poetry Slam Championships in the USA (2012) and is a TEDx speaker and performer.
“The lady hands me a bag.
“I don’t need them anymore” she says.
Brand new baby clothes never worn.
I could cut the sorrow out of the moment.
Hang it unresolved upon the mantle, with all the other things that are lost to us.
I hug her instead.
Try to hold the pieces together.
The bag slips from my fingers,
I have never held anything so heavy.
”
Rebecca Kereopa | Melbourne based artist Rebecca Kereopa has always been fascinated with the visual, particularly the surreal and fantastical. Growing up she loved Dr. Suess, Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll books, She is most fascinated by both the strengths and vulnerabilities in femininity. Rebecca believes there is a limitless well of expression, depth and feeling that can be represented through the female form.
This editorial is part of Vol. 04: The Process Issue. Purchase a copy here.
To view the rest of the participants and find upcoming Duality gallery exhibitions around the world, visit dualityexperiment.com.
Also available, The Duality Art Experiment Book; a take-away collection of all elements of the exhibition; words, art and photographs. It includes twenty-five bonus color art prints, that can be removed from the cover and framed.