Camille is an emerging artist whose unique perspective is shaped by her upbringing between New Orleans and Byron Bay. A self-taught creator, she has pursued various classes to enhance her visual communication skills. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Renaissance oil painting techniques, and the 19th-century Symbolist movement, Camille’s work features symbolist and surrealist elements reminiscent of artists such as Edvard Munch and René Magritte. Her art delves into the complex relationships between humans and nature, particularly examining how capitalist ideals have supplanted spiritual connections. Recently, she curated an exhibition at the Clifton School of Art, showcasing her works alongside fellow artists to address themes of resource extraction from the ocean and the reclamation of humanity’s impact on the environment. Camille was also a finalist in the 2023 Michael Reid Gallery Emerging Artist Prize, further establishing her presence in the contemporary art scene.
Artist Statement
These two pieces extend my "Engineered" series, which explores the impact of fish farms on the genetic makeup and disease susceptibility of fish. In our pursuit of perfection in nature, we often create unforeseen issues. Inspired by a chapter in Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass, I further reflect on how language shapes our interactions with the natural world. What do we, as a culture, recognise as having spirit? Would we treat a rock differently if we believed it were alive? My inspiration also comes from moments driving down the Hume, where I've mistakenly identified a rock or bush as a sheep, prompting me to reconsider perception and value in our surroundings whilst also giggling at myself.