A regular conversation with the latest individual or group making waves in WA’s arts scene.

Olivia Gavranich

Photographer and Musician
20/1/10

Image by Olivia Gavranich

Olivia Gavranich is a recent high school graduate and artist in the upcoming Group Exhibition Debut, featuring seven artists aged from 16 to 18, at the Free Range Gallery.

How did you get into photography?
I always wanted to learn how to use a darkroom, so I started Photography at school in year 10 (2007). I started getting better at it, and it wasn’t long before I started taking photos out of school and putting them into a portfolio. It’s weird to see how much my work has changed over the past two years, but it’s also really exciting that I’m actually getting something great out of it.

How would you define your photographic style?
I haven’t really been taking photos for very long, and I’m still at that stage where I’m trying out new styles and different cameras. So far, I really enjoy taking black and white film portraits. I love photographing people and trying to capture their personalities instead of just the way they look, or what they’re wearing. I try to be as subtle as I can, by capturing them when they don’t know, or when they’re not given time to ‘pose’. I believe that’s the best way to truly capture a moment, or a feeling.

That said, I’ve recently been getting into my new fisheye lens, and trying to use as much colour as possible. I’ve also started taking more digital snaps lately… so I suppose my style is a bit of everything at the moment.

You just graduated high school, how do you think your age affects the way that you see the world?
At my age, I think it’s really important to be very open-minded towards people’s opinions and ways of seeing things. I still have so much to learn; I’m still kind of a blank sheet, waiting to be influenced. I think that my age allows me to experiment with different outlooks and opinions, and to learn as much as I can about the world, and the people in it. That in itself is how I am starting to see the world.

Tell us a bit about the Debut project?
The Debut Project is a youth arts initiative that is to involve an exhibition, featuring seven artists aged 16 to 18 and a submission art zine, untitled(YOUTH), that is to feature the work of young artists aged 13 to 25. The purpose of the project is to provide exposure and support to local young artists, and to help develop the Perth youth arts scene.

I still can’t believe how quickly it happened! It’s like one day after ArtsCAMP we were just talking about the possibility of having our own exhibition, and then BAM, we got the grant a few months later. We’re so young, so it’s a great feeling to be treated like professionals.

Is there a theme in your work for the exhibition?
Debut is my introduction to exhibiting, and because I haven’t really found my style yet, I’m planning on showing a selection of photos that are all very different from each other. Although I can say that there will be a lot of portraits.

What is next for you?
The other day my friend told me that she was so excited for me because I get to have my “discovery year”. I hadn’t really thought about it until then; but I’m ‘free’ now… so I think I’ll start by doing everything I know I need to do. Photography will always be something I love doing; but becoming a musician is where I see myself in the next couple of years. So, as well as ‘discovering’ as much as I can this year… I’ll be working on my music, and seeing how far it can take me.