It was kind of like vintage shopping - we had to know where to look, and do our fair share of foraging, but the gems that formed our 'urban clique' were definitely there. That's the thing about the people of Canberra - there is so much more to it than meets the eye. Individuals form the fabric of a city's cultural landscape, and in the process of creating this photo shoot, we discovered that Canberra has a very rich and eclectic tapestry of people.
The artists
ADAM JOSIAH VEIKKANEN, 23 Artist
"I have always thought myself too young to giving other people advice, but at the moment I think 'being creative helps' with a lot of things, I also think 'everyone is an artist' we just choose to be selective about what is and what isn't art."
Adam’s work has revolved around subjects such as obsessive compulsiveness, creativity, normality, general philosophy and natural phenomenons.
ALEXANDER BOYNES, 28Canberra Contemporary Art Space Gallery Administrator/Visual Artist
"There are so many hidden gems in Canberra, I’m always amazed at how many internationally renowned artists we have living in such a modest city. I work with so many interesting and talented people on a day-to-day basis, I really enjoy being around passionate people, and I get paid to look at art!"
Professional Contemporary Dancer
"I love the arts institutions in Canberra! For example Gorman House where visual arts, dance and theatre are provided with a creative platform. As a traveling dancer having a place to return to in order to make work in a supported environment is really important.''
Laura was born in Canberra, beginning her dance training with the Canberra Dance Development Centre and Quantum Leap. She currently shares her time between Perth and Canberra as a dancer, choreographer and film-maker and is a member of "Buzz Dance Theatre" (Perth) and newly formed "Autumnal" (Canberra/Sydney).
ALEXANDRA (LEXI) SEKULESS, 22 "Be prepared to scrap your plans, flexibility will bring surprisingly better options."
Lexi grew up in Canberra, worked for REP, Free Rain at the Canberra Theatre and at The Q. She has travelled to London numerous times to study and is set to make a permanent move to begin at the Central School of Speech and Drama in September.
Artist
" 'To cover my nervousness I started eating an apple. Because I think if they hear you chewing on the other end of the phone, it makes you sound casual!’ (George in Seinfeld). Not really a mantra... but I do like apples.”
Lisa grew up in Canberra but has travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia and South America. She has had "infinity" cafe and retail jobs, but she's really excited to be living off painting and making crazy clothes.
The fashionistas
CLARE CAMPBELL MOONIE, 31
Salon Manager, Cataldo’s
"One should always dress in fashion that suits them rather that following trends, that way you will always be in great style."
Salon Manager, Cataldo’s
"One should always dress in fashion that suits them rather that following trends, that way you will always be in great style."
Having always had a keen eye for fashion and a passion for engaging with people, Clare has found her dream job combining customer service with a team at Cataldo’s that create beautiful hair.
Marketing Assistant for a beauty company
"Be super sweet to everyone you meet because everyone you know is fighting their own battle. Oh and orange is a fruit not a skin colour."
Born and bred in Canberra, Sabrina spent four years at uni doing public relations/marketing, and six months living in Europe. She in the midst of her thesis about the Barbie doll and her cultural impact on society. She owns 17 different mascaras.
Store Manager, SABA
"I love Canberra’s suburban shopping centres, many have great restaurants, bars and boutiques that visitors to Canberra often miss out on. Start a night out at a suburban restaurant like Pulp Kitchen at Ainslie shops and kick on later in the city at Tongue & Groove."
Will grew up in inner-north Canberra. He studied at the Australian National University and has a Bachelor of Psychology, and has travelled throughout South East Asia and USA.
Designer/ Milliner/ Retail Assistant
"To quote fashion designer Vivienne Westwood - You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes."
Born and raised in Canberra, Angela loves being surrounded by fashion, be it designing, making or selling fashion and accessories.
The rebels
Tattoo artist, Freestyle Tattoo
"I just try to take each day as it comes, remembering not to sweat the small stuff."
May grew up in a mix of Chinese and Australian cultures. She managed to achieve an artistic eye from a young age, which has proven to be a defining part of who she is today. As her job lends her creative license, she is both satisfied and humbled by those who come to her and ask for work in her personal and unique style.
DJ / Noise Peddler
“Whether you think you can or think you can't; you're right.”
Rowan has always had fairly eclectic taste in music and has played many different instruments over the years (master of none). He started mixing via a single turntable and discman back in 2003 , finally investing in a decent pair of turntables a couple of years later and he has never looked back. Since then he has emerged from the bedroom, picking up regular spots at a number of venues around town, holding down supports for various international and interstate artists, not to mention a weekly residency on UCFM's 'Rezinate' every Wednesday night. He loves having freedom to play the music that he enjoys without having to dumb it down, and believes that hard working promoters, open minded audiences and progressive venues are all helping the local scene diversify and evolve.
Salesperson, Clive Anthonys
"Live by the sword die by the sword. - No regrets."
Born in Western Australia, Callum lived, surfed, skated, and rode bikes until he was 15 and he moved to Canberra. For the past four years he's finished his studies, worked in a few jobs and met new people while he wrote his music and dabbled with his photography. He loves Cafe Essen, and visits whenever he feels like writing, or just chillin with friends with a hot cup of chai infused with soy.
Security Guard
“I work in an important building with supposedly important people. A lot of interesting people work and visit there and I love meeting them, least of all the suits. The most interesting people are always the unassuming. Perception is not always reality.”
Sam has lived long enough in Canberra to call it home. For the better part of ten years he’s been a performer, supporter and promoter of the local music scene and will always continue to do so, so long as he’s here. About Canberra, he advises; “Get social on the way home from work. The Italian take away, the French patisserie, Japanese , Burmese, Middle East and pancakes. Get yourself tattooed. Flick a coin to the buskers in the street, you may just make their night.”
Barista
"Live for the moment."
Canberra-Bred Nicole has mostly worked in retail. In her spare time she's a hip-hop dancer. Her dancing has taken her to the United States (LA, Las Vegas).
The Intellectuals
Lawyer
“I never do things by halves; I work hard and I live life to the full.”
Growing up in the US, Emma developed a passion for travel. After getting her bachelor degrees in Actuarial Studies and Law, she worked for one of the ‘Big 4’ accounting firms for in the areas of Tax and Economics , Infrastructure and Policy. She has recently begun practising in the city as an in-house lawyer. Her favourite part of my job is being able to effect change through the legal system in significant areas, including equalising opportunities in the law.
Program Officer, Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
"Have a little faith in the path that you are on and above all remember; this, too, shall pass."
Growing up in Griffith, Christina got her BA in Psychology and moved overseas to work in the UK for a while. Thanks to a few amazing mentors she has developed an interest in the social policy and research aspects of population health and child development whilst working at Diabetes Australia and DEEWR.
PhD student in Finance in ANU, Part-time Tutor
“Respect others and learn from your competitors.”
Frank Liu grew up in Hainan, which is a small island down in the south of China. Though his house was about a 10 minute walk to the beach, ironically he never picked up swimming. So he is more like a reading-on-the-beach kind of person. Apart from his research in finance, he is a huge enthusiast in jazz guitar and singing.
PhD Candidate, Biological Chemistry, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University.
“Peace, love and vegetables.”
Born in Penrith, NSW, Joe relocated to Canberra to begin a Bachelors degree in Medical Science at the ANU, eventually progressing to a PhD. Upon arriving, he was quickly introduced to radical new philosophies about our society and how it interacts with the rest of the world and its environment. Such views have influenced his life ever since. He loves that Canberra City is a blank canvas - relatively so young, that the shaping of its culture is still open to interpretation. Also the fact it is the political heart of this nation also means it is the perfect setting for collective actions of political dissent, of which he is quite fond.
Humanitarian program officer, AusAID
“Don’t just do something, stand there.”
Following her study at Australian National University, Canberra born and bred Clemency, moved to London to begin a career but returned to Canberra once more to take up her current position at AusAID. Her favourite parts of her job are the people and the cake.
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