Bill Ragan is a Perth-based photographer. Read about what inspires him.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been taking photographs since the seventies. My work commenced in the eastern states, and in the eighties, I moved to WA and travelled away frequently for various periods.
What does your work aim to say?
I consider my work eclectic. It explores the overlooked as well as the everyday. It says there is beauty in contrasts and the not clearly defined. At times my projects are of a documentary nature, at other times observations of the diversity of people or culture.
This exhibition is about Trinities, something I have been fascinated by since I was a child. It shows works in series of three, and triple exposures.
Who (or what) are your biggest influences?
I'm influenced by the Bauhaus School, 1960s and 70s pop art, and many of last century’s great photographers.
How has your career developed and evolved?
It started with photography and moved into digital processing. A couple of exhibition, awards, and prizes for works entered in salons. It's more an obsession than a career!
Describe your studio or workspace
Cramped, cluttered, and inadequate.
Describe your dream project
A month wandering the mountains around Kyoto, the city of Berlin, or the highlands of North Vietnam.
What is the best piece of advice you've received?
Remain true to your heart, absorb vision and information.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
Expressing frustration, meditation, distraction.
How do you stay motivated in your art practice?
Constant review of past works through a slide show the runs constantly. Also trawling through my work catalogue with a view to reducing the number of photos and subsequently discovering the overlooked.
How do you balance your personal life and your art practice?
Each is part of the other. I work on my art whenever I can and don’t when I can’t.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Eyes wide to the world around us. Mind open to the possibilities.
Exhibition poster:
Connect with Bill:
Facebook: Bill Ragan
Instagram: @brago739
