AN ARTISTIC medium has become the focus of life for recent Curtin University graduate and photographer Alan Arazo.
The power of photography as a vehicle for self-expression is clear after two of Arazo’s shots, including the self-portrait Untitled, made the list of the top 10 finalists for Most Popular Artist at the HyperVision Youth Art Festival in Midland this month.
Months after getting his digital camera during his arts degree, Arazo decided to switch his drawing and illustration major to photography and video.
“It was the accessibility of photography as well as the aesthetics,” he said.
“It was great to see the approaches people took to the medium. Everyone has a different style and I loved that.”
Arazo said the idea of revealing personality heavily influenced his style, inspiring Untitled.
“I was introverted and shy in primary and high school, trying to fit in to various cliques and groups … the mirror in the photograph is about conformation,” he said.
“A lot of my work deals with my identity and self-expression.”
Yet he is cagey about how he created the image.
“A magician never reveals his secrets,” he said.
Arazo did say he experimented a great deal in post-production stages, as well as with his tool of choice, the Canon EOS 550D.
He has exhibited in Fremantle, Perth and Melbourne, and is now studying an Associate Degree in Mobile Applications at Thornlie Polytechnic West, and at 21 is relaxed about what the future holds.
“I’m just going with the flow,” he said.
Arazo’s two pieces are at the HyperVision exhibition at Midland Gate shopping centre until August 19. A judging panel will decide on the $1000 cash prizewinner tonight.