Beau CRUZ
VCE Studio Arts Unit 3&4
Life in Bali  2016
chromogenic print on polyester, lightbox 59.4x84.1x20.0cm
reproduction courtesy of the artist and Caulfield Grammar School, Caulfield Campus

Artist statement:
Throughout year 12 Studio Arts I have explored the concept of nostalgia. In particular I wanted to select a place that was close to my heart. Travelling to Bali over the school holidays posed a great opportunity as I knew this was a place that I felt deeply nostalgic about. Previously travelling to Bali nine times, I really started to form personal connections with the locals. Instead of just doing prints like my other finals, I wanted to find a way to simulate the atmosphere to which the images were taken. Using a light-box is a way of bringing the image to life. When considering presentation, I wanted this image to be a true reflection of how the subject was in real life. Many aspects of the image impact this such as placement, light and tone. When shooting this image, it was not planned in anyway. It features an older Balinese lady sitting begging under the hot sun. This experience remains one of my most memorable moments that I feel most nostalgic of.