This is such a tricky question! I feel that what is in the bio summarises very neatly who I am.

I suppose one thing not in my bio is that I’m a person who enjoys kewpie mayo on literally anything and everything. It is my favourite condiment.

I also don’t drink coffee (wild, I know).

I think I’ve always been intrigued by it as a medium. Our generation have grown up in the digital age, interacting with cameras and photographs is second nature to us. Something I feel which has been a formative experience for me (maybe more so than I’ve previously acknowledged) is the age which I began creating images. I was 11 when I got my first camera. It was a small red digital point and shoot and it immediately became like a third arm. I took it with me everywhere. In some ways it helped me perceive the world around me but also approach the world with a sense of curiosity.

So, with that in mind, maybe it was more out of habit. Something constant that I had been doing since I was a kid which led me to continue doing it as an adult.

My practice is informed by my lived experiences, and I use it as a way of navigating certain feelings, ideas and research. My artistic process is a bit haphazard. As I work within a cycle of praxis, (making and research at the same time) often I’ll be deep in thinking with not much making, or something which I’ve been considering for a while will finally surface in a photographic way, if that makes sense? This might sound silly but it can feel instinctual too. I would say I often follow a process in terms of the tools I use. My work is very layered and so it might just begin with a single image in photoshop and then things can go from there. Lots of trial and error.

I think the work I’m showing is a somewhat new direction. I look forward to having an opportunity to really push the boundaries visually and see where I can take it. I hope my work can challenge people’s thinking around Western ways of mapping, but also how photographs of place are used in mapping technologies.

Everywhere. My peers, the internet, my family, weird technology.

The last couple of years in particular have really highlighted what it means to ‘be human.’ The fragility of humanity and life. I think it’s a good theme to be explored for this years festival, a chance for reflection.

I’ve been paired with Alona Pardo who is a curator at the Barbican Art Gallery in London. Admittedly, as I write this, my first catch up with her is in a few days time and I can’t wait! The Barbican is an incredible gallery space and Alona herself has been part of some fascinating and exciting projects. She has so much experience in the field and shares similar interests to me and where I’d like to take my research.

I hope to gain a fresh perspective on my work and a new partnership. One that will guide me but also bring reciprocal critical discussion about both our practices.

Listening to music.

Hang in there Juc. Just keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll see soon that it all works out. Things may feel a little stressful, a little uncertain and a little strange (growing up is kinda yuck, but also kinda cool sometimes). You’re on the right path, keep focused and be kind to yourself.