During my seven day managed isolation on arrival in NZ in November 2021, trapped in an Auckland CBD hotel room, I used photography to explore the fine art of “making the best of a difficult situation”. The series is a continuation of my previous series Postcards from the Edge (of South Melbourne) which featured at the 2021 Head On Photo Festival in Sydney.
Those who have been through MIQ will recognise some of these moments, where one desperately tries to hold on to a life which has been put on pause. From lounging about to multitasking on all your devices at once; from wistfully staring out the window to conducting an impromptu karaoke session in the bathroom; from foraging through the endless paper bags and plastic food containers to trying to work off all those calories “swimming” in the bath; from an attempt at some beauty therapy to botched mind-body yoga therapy… the only thing that gets you through is the anticipation of that moment when all your bags are packed and you are on your way home.
The work was influenced by Helmut Newton’s images of scantily clad women looking (slightly) compromised in hotel rooms. As I knew I was entering MIQ, I planned the likely costumes ahead of time, (including a selection of vintage sleepwear consistent with Newton’s work and a pair of Jimmy Choo sandals), but I was not able to precisely pre-visualise the images until I saw the space and which I was to spend my isolation. Each day I planned and produced a different image in line with my concept (I produced 10 images in all, 9 of which are exhibited) working with my surroundings. I was fortunate to have a great space to work and live in, a room in the Grand Millennium, Auckland.
I named each image after the weather- a little ironic twist for someone who could not go outside. Each image bar the final one also has a mask in the frame to indicate that this is quarantine. The final image “Cool Change” has no mask because it was created on the day that I was released from quarantine.
