Talented … Estelle Joannou won an RMIT Fine Art award for her photography. 57823 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Belinda Nolan
While some photographers find inspiration in the divine, like sunsets and rainbows, the 22-year-old student prefers to focus on the ordinary.
Although just shy of completing her fine arts degree at RMIT University, the budding photographer is taking Melbourne’s art world by storm, with a prestigious award and two exhibitions under her young belt.
Ms Joannou beat more than 200 other competitors to win the Siemens-RMIT Fine Art Awards, one of the university’s most prestigious art awards.
While surprised by the award, it was a dream come true for the student, who will receive a $2000 travel grant to study art overseas.
Ms Joannou won over the judges with her unique series of portraits of women engaged in everyday activities, like shopping and child rearing.
“I really enjoy working with women because in the midst of the mundane, they have some really poignant narratives to relate,” Ms Joannou said.
The student said she felt destined to be an artist.
“It sort of runs in my blood,” she said.
“My mum is a china painter and she always encouraged me to take up art.
“My brother is also a fashion designer, so I guess it runs in the family.”
If winning the award wasn’t enough, the young artist has another reason to celebrate, with her work being featured in two exhibitions.
Her winning entry can be viewed at the city’s RMIT Gallery, while other samples of her work will feature at an exhibition at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane until Friday.
Ms Joannou said she hoped to undertake an internship and postgraduate studies in either America or Europe with the prizemoney.
