The first time I smoked a joint was with a group of my girlfriends at the beginning of highschool. We all stripped down to our bras and underwear and met in the trees behind my friend’s house because we didn’t want our clothes to smell like smoke. We didn’t get high from that joint but we felt something. Our female bodies were partially developed. We didn’t really understand the power we held yet. We explored the nature around us, giggling until we were dressed and back inside. Prue Stent’s photography makes me think of those moments. Although the 21-year-old photographer says it’s never been a conscious decision to focus on femininity, it’s where her interest and comfort lies as she grew up mostly around women. Stent was brought up on the coastline in Australia surrounding many of the diverse environments seen in her photographs. The images are nostalgic and personal in an uncontrolled environment. She uses primordial themes in naturalistic settings, women on rocks or deep in the bushes fully exposed. Stent’s female relationships are at the core of her images, an intertwining of intimate friendship and creative practice. “The female social experience is complex and layered. Collaborations with other women not only challenge and expand my artistic practice, but also allow me to form unique private relationships,” says Stent. One of her main collaborators Honey Long, a sculptor, glass blower and performance artist, has been working with her since they became friends at 14. “It’s our way of exploring the world,” she says of their artistic relationship.
Collaboration with Clare Longley and Honey Long
Collaboration with Honey Long
Collaboration with Honey Long
How would you describe your photos? Fun, humorous, intimate.
Do you carry your camera with you everywhere you go? Not anymore. I use to when I was using disposable cameras but now that I have gone digital it’s too much of a nuisance.
What celebrity would you like to shoot most? I don’t really have one. I focus more on form than individual identities. Although I wouldn’t turn down the offer to shoot someone like Beyonce.
What animal would you like to be, if not a human? A lizard. I love them so much.
With Phillipa Stent
Collaboration with Clare Longley and Honey Long
With Pip Stent
Collaboration with Honey Long
What’s your current obsession? Savers, which is a massive thrift store chain in Melbourne. I go there everyday to source props. Endless entertainment and so much potential.
Would you like to live forever? No, I think life is a lot more exciting when you know there is only a limited time to achieve and do things. Having endless amounts of time would be scary.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Just do you. Clare Longley always tells me that when i’m freaking out about something.
What do you do in your spare time? Take photos, dress up in weird costumes, coffee with friends, markets etc…
Do you like having your photo taken? I take a lot of photos of myself which I really enjoy but I don’t really like my photo being taken in a social context. Sometimes is ok!
Shoot the Breeze: Prue Stent
Collaboration with Clare Longley and Honey Long
Collaboration with Honey Long
Collaboration with Honey Long
How would you describe your photos?
Fun, humorous, intimate.
Do you carry your camera with you everywhere you go?
Not anymore. I use to when I was using disposable cameras but now that I have gone digital it’s too much of a nuisance.
What celebrity would you like to shoot most?
I don’t really have one. I focus more on form than individual identities. Although I wouldn’t turn down the offer to shoot someone like Beyonce.
What animal would you like to be, if not a human?
A lizard. I love them so much.
With Phillipa Stent
Collaboration with Clare Longley and Honey Long
With Pip Stent
Collaboration with Honey Long
What’s your current obsession?
Savers, which is a massive thrift store chain in Melbourne. I go there everyday to source props. Endless entertainment and so much potential.
Would you like to live forever?
No, I think life is a lot more exciting when you know there is only a limited time to achieve and do things. Having endless amounts of time would be scary.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Just do you. Clare Longley always tells me that when i’m freaking out about something.
What do you do in your spare time?
Take photos, dress up in weird costumes, coffee with friends, markets etc…
Do you like having your photo taken?
I take a lot of photos of myself which I really enjoy but I don’t really like my photo being taken in a social context. Sometimes is ok!
Which photographers do you like right now?
Pat Brassington and Kai Wasikowski.