Five Minutes with Trent Mitchell

I was working with Girt By Sea for around six months, and after researching the name and learning how it had been used in the past, I let the title go very quickly and started brainstorming for a new one. I wanted the title to include the word ‘Australia’ and I wanted the rest of the title to reflect my vision and true self. I wanted the title to be direct, engaging and fun. I wanted it to be three words maximum. Nothing was sticking and like most of my ideas, Australia. Seriously? came to mind unexpectedly, while having my morning shower. I could see the title working on many levels and it just grew on me. I didn’t overthink it. It’s a simple rhetorical question the viewer can interpret from any perspective they please.

Just how much of Australia have you seen in the creation of your photographs and film exposures?

I’ve experienced enough to comfortably say I have seen more than your average Australian, although your average touring Grey Nomad would have seen more than me. I definitely feel the need to get out there more over the next few years and continue shooting things.

When did you first realise you had an eye for photography?

It was only after a good period of time. I enjoyed photography for many years before I believed I had a unique perspective on things. The realisation only came from other people, not myself. I just felt like I was simply taking photos. Others saw something I couldn’t. There was no real moment of realisation – it was more of a confidence thing.

Last year you won the $50,000 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize. Just how far does that sort of prize go for an independent artist?

The benefit of the financial side of the prize really does speak for itself. More importantly, I found the prize to give me more confidence as an artist and to keep pursuing my vision. Winning the prize has definitely been a great icebreaker in many situations over the past 12 months and I find the longer term artistic benefits are just starting to rise now and they will filter through in years to come too.

If you could nominate one other photographer to produce a single iconic image of Australia, who would it be?

I’ll have to go with someone who’s iconic and had never photographed Australia as far as I know. Mr. William Eggleston would be my choice.

[Boy In Boat photo by Trent Mitchell]

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