What kind of power would you like?
As a super hero kind of power? I’ve always wanted to be able to astral-project so that I could be in two places at once. Or I think it can even be called Bilocation. That is the people pleaser in me, so that I don’t have to choose between helping one person or another, or choosing between helping a person and doing something for myself. If I could astral project/bilocate then I could do it all.
However, I've always wanted a healing power as well. Again, that’s me wanting to help everybody and fix everyone. There are too many people out there that need healing and if I had a power that could heal then I could fix them.
How would it manifest? What would enable it?
I think it would manifest by me being able to do it whenever I wanted - is that what you mean? I would want to be able to heal whenever I wanted and astral project whenever I wanted. The healing would come from my hands (just like Leo on Charmed hahah) and resinate through them to heal the person - and I could be able to heal any sickness - mental, internal and physical problems. Astral-projection would be through the mind - like I could think on wear where I needed or wanted to be and POOF I was there as well as where I was.
What do you admire most about Frida Kahlo and "Freda" Josephine Baker?
I have been an admirer of Frida Kahlo for so long now, and especially more since all of my dealings with my hips. Kahlo spent a long time injured and this inspired her artworks and especially her self-portraits. She would say that her self-portraits were not of her dreams but her realities. My photographs are of my realities with mental illness and my physical struggles that I have with my hips. They are my way of exposing things that I cannot put into words – much like Frida Kahlo. Although our circumstances are much different and Kahlo was in a full body cast for long period of time, our intentions about our artwork are the same and our search for expression is almost identical.
I did not know a lot about Josephine Baker, and admittedly had to research her to find out more about her. But from what I found she the first African-American to star in a major motion picture and the first African-American to become a world famous entertainer. She was also a strong activist for the American Civil Rights Movement in the 50’s. She wasn’t very well welcomed in America however was very popular in France and eventually married a Frenchman and became a French citizen.
What do you think of when you think of them?
I think of their courage, their determination and their abilities to move past the things that held them back in life and become so incredibly successful and inspiring. They helped inflict change and outcome in times when women weren’t meant to be doing anything of any importance what so ever.
What would you change in Australia, the world?
Famine, poverty and homelessness – especially youth homelessness. There is way too much of this in the world without anything efficient being done about it. Sure people can donate money or sponsor but realistically that’s only helping in the short term, nothing is being done about the long term. The rich stay richer and the poor stay poorer and unfortunately in western society and culture, that’s how it will always be. But something needs to change.
There are over 105,000 people homeless in Australia and 1.7 million teenagers alone that are homeless in America. Why is there nothing being done about this? That’s 1.7 million young people like my 14 year old sister living on the streets.
And famine and poverty isn’t just in western culture or just in Africa. Asia and Pacific continents have a higher rate of hunger and undernourishment than Africa, yet again nothing is being done about it. Australia and America spend ridiculous amounts of money on the most frivolous things like fire works at New Years, and movies and music and even though these seem important – what’s more important than saving somebody’s life?
If I could change anything in the world, everybody would have a home, food, and be equally looked after. Equality is the missing fact.
Are there any other issues that are important to you? Locally? Globally?
Yes definitely. Homelessness. I just don't understand how there isn't a better system in place yet! Why is there no where for them to go. Why are they stuck on the streets and douchebags like bloody Joe Hockey are living in million dollar mansions. I just don't get it.
Do you feel like change is possible in these areas? How?
YES. A THOUSAND TIMES YES. How have we not done anything about this??? There has got to be a better way to get these people off the streets, into safe housing with food and warmth. There are just too many people out there on their own.
Do you think your ideas could change anything?
No I don't think so. I wish they could. I wish I was stronger and more determined and powerful and had some sort of voice that could be impacting. But I'm just a 23 year old photographer. It's such a naive answer I know, but realistically - what am I to do?
Are you comfortable speaking your mind/putting ideas into the world?
I used to be. Not so much anymore. I used to be very opinionated and would stand up for myself and anyone else but I'm so self conscious now. Too easily intimated.
Do you consider yourself a feminist? Womanist? Why/why not? What does this mean to you?
Anybody would believes in equality for all is a feminist whether they realise it or not. And I am a very strong believer in feminism. It has NOTHING to do with women taking over or being the dominate sex. It's about everyone, no matter your gender identity, being equal and being allowed to feel equal in the first place. So yes I am a feminist in that respect.
How often do you subconsciously/consciously think about your desired superpower when you dress on a daily basis?
Not a lot to be honest. I guess it depends on where I'm going or how my day is going!
