Located 140kms south east of Melbourne, Phillip Island is an out-of-the-way sea side spot in Westernport Bay. Discovered by George Bass in 1798, Phillip Island was once roamed by Bunurong people for 39,000 years.

The current population stands at 7,000 people whom often witness some of Australia’s most restless weather systems generated from the unpredictable Bass Strait.

A photographic study of vistas around Green Cape, New South Wales.

Positive ions are particals produced on mass in and around large water masses. Andrew under the influence of positive ions discovered a landscape without mobile phones, landlines, the internet, television, a corner shop and people.

The Green Cape light house was designed and completed in 1881 by NSW Colonial Architect — James Barnett (He held that position for twenty-five years).

It is rumoured that Barnet‘s projects always went over budget and alleged that constant infighting with government to win more funding was a major part of his service as Colonial Architect. This infighting was supposed to be heated at times and his process won much fame. The fall out from this process was an amazing body of civic architecture and the label or slang expression ‘Barny‘ in Barnet‘s honour. To this day to ‘Barny‘, or to fight with someone is regular feature in Australian slang and conversations.

Learn more about the Green Cape Lighthouse here
Learn more about James Barnet here

During the summer holiday some people in Melbourne hang around town and some, the lucky ones, find somewhere quiet in the country or by the sea. This is Pearl Café in holiday mode with a summer menu and an image by Andrew in holiday mode as well.

Melbourne is reknowned for its extremes in weather during Spring. Over a few hours, Andrew shot these images last week looking to the west from inside the studio.

Visit the Fringe here. See the XYZ TVC here.

Pearl Café in Richmond asked the studio to provide an image for their spring menu.

During the winter months the signs of spring are few. That is until the bare branches of the ornamental plum trees, that line many streets in Melbourne, show signs in in early August, now late July, that spring is near — clear skies on a brisk morning walk to work are greeted with bursts of white and shades of pink. It seems fitting to share this sight with the patrons of Pearl.

(Happy) Spring 2008, an image by Andrew.

Pearl Café, the latest project from famed Pearl Restaurant and Bar in Richmond, asked the studio to develop an image for their inaugural and collateral for their winter menu. Chilly, clear, and deep winter sky came to mind, which was applied to this menu supergraphic, take-a-way menus and and business cards…

Richmond with its over supply of greasy spoon cafés and average coffee houses; the opening of Pearl Café is a welcome addition to Church street casual dining scene. Open 7 days, next door to Paperpoint, it pays to get in early — as many have caught the Pearl Café bug.

Visit pearlrestaurant.com.au

The filming has been supported by Swinburne University Film and Television School and the still photography by David Pidgeon and Andrew Ashton. The project is in need of financial support for the production of the final documentary and book. If you would like to support this project, please email Simon Pemberton at simon@graffiti.net.au

These stills were shot in low light at Lynch‘s restaurant in South Yarra. Rather than formal portraits a voyeuristic approach seemed appropriate. The dining room was terrific — rich textures, mirrors, a crackling fire, velvet, high ceiling, a hostess and dim smoky light presented a curious collection of people in an engaging, honest and strange light.

At the time he had just left Precinct Design and had started Studio Pip and Co. working out of his third bedroom in West St Kilda.

One half of the project is a piece of writing investigating the place that disabled people have in our community, and the other is a photographic survey of public swimming pools in Sydney and Melbourne. We sold the first lot wrapped in string and housed in an window cut envelop. Completed in one take the hand lettering was again executed in watered down gouache with a fine sable brush.

A small run of this piece was printed by Gunn & Taylor in Melbourne. It is available for $10 plus postage, simply email the studio for your copy.