National recognition for local photographer

LOCAL photography artist Sara Nash was a finalist in the University of Southern Queensland’s inaugural Biennial Art Award.

The award aimed to celebrate contemporary Australian art and Nash’s work Not a Queen, Not a King looks at taking pride in claiming your identity.

The photo is of Ballarat local KL Joy who is an LGBTQIA+ and disability activist.

“KL is very prominent in Ballarat and surrounds as being one of the most recognised activists in that queer space,” said Nash.

“They had seen my work online and approached me to see if I’d be interested in taking some photos of their transition journey.

“KL is also a disability advocate, so they walk with a walker and the photo has them sitting on a walker.”

Nash said she was honoured to be one of six photographers who were finalists in the inaugural award.

“The calibre of the finalists was so high that there was Archibald Prize winners as finalists or people whose work is owned by the National Gallery of Australia,” said Nash.

“It was nice to be amongst that calibre of work.”

Today, Nash’s exhibition by called DeSign, which looks at signage in the Ballarat region, opens at Unicorn Lane.

The aim of the works is to showcase how mundane areas can look beautiful.

“The inspiration of DeSign is that I think I’ve always looked at things differently to the average person and I tend to notice small details that other people walk past,” said Nash.

“These are all signs from Ballarat and the surrounding region that most people would probably walk past everyday.”

DeSign will be at Unicorn Lane until Wednesday 29 May.