Chrissie Hall is an Australian photographer and artist whose work explores the dynamic relationships between photographer and subject. With over 20 years of experience, her captivating images often blend fashion, nature, and storytelling.
Chrissie Hall's work has recently received national acclaim, winning the People’s Choice Award at the Australian Life Photography Competition for her piece Victorian Vampires.
Hall’s latest project, Layers of the Kaleidoscope Qween, is the culmination of a 15-year creative partnership with her muse, Charly. Together they explore a myriad of different interior and exterior locations, ranging from toy towns to even the Australian Museum.
Originally conceived as a straightforward photography book, Layers of the Kaleidoscope Qween evolved into something far more artistic and experimental.
Wanting to bring more vibrancy to the images, she began to incorporate other elements such as flower petals, or even painting onto the photographs – and then rephotographing them. Hall experimented even further, growing crystals on the images, using resin and cracking medium, and playing with light and texture.
Overall, the creative process became an exploration of new mediums—using sun imprints, thick layers of paint, and even involving 'guest artists' (her children) in painting parts of the images.
Hall also sourced textures and visuals from her travels, using everything from hotel wallpapers to beach sand as inspiration.
She shot random objects, including her daughter’s slime ball, to create original textures that would later be layered onto the photographs. Some images were fogged with experimental film, overexposed, or even buried in the dirt for weeks to create unique effects.
Through these experimental techniques, Hall redefined her approach, adding depth to the book by literally layering the images (hence the addition of the word layers in the book title), transforming the images into mixed-media art pieces.
The 242 page full colour photobook is available for purchase at Chrissie's website.
