Sarah Robins is the Creative Engagement Manager for the Metro Tunnel Creative Program. Originally trained as an art curator, Sarah has worked in many arts organisations including festivals, university galleries, museums, competitions and art fairs. Some of her favourite experiences are working at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Venice Biennale and on the Commonwealth Games Arts Festival in Melbourne. Sarah proudly sports a Kiwi accent, hails from Ngati Tuwharetoa and is happy to discuss jandals and pavlova at any time.
Victorians from all walks of life are invited to take part in a new photographic series, 101 Victorians, to showcase the extraordinary diversity of our community. Submissions are open to Victorian residents of all ages, with a final selection of 101 photographic portraits to exhibit online as part of the Metro Tunnel Creative Program from 29 April to 22 May, 2022.
The project is inspired by the work of award-winning British artist Jenny Lewis and her evocative One Hundred Years, which documents an intimate collection of portraits and stories from Hackney residents in East London, covering every age from birth to 100 in chronological order. Paired with revealing quotes from all of her subjects, the thoughtful images reveal life’s universal moments – the joys, adversities, challenges and beauty of her community as they reflect on their lives so far.
101 Victorians, with Lewis’ permission, will create a vibrant snapshot of the Victorian community in a similar style to be exhibited concurrently with One Hundred Years at PHOTO 2022, Australia’s largest photography event. With both projects honouring the festival’s central theme ‘Being Human’, 101 Victorians intends on shining a spotlight on the many faces and stories that make up our local community.
Victorians of all ages are invited to participate, with no training or experience required. You might photograph a family member, old friend, colleague or neighbour – someone you have a connection to, who will feel comfortable being photographed and sharing an insight into their life. The person you choose needn’t be famous nor successful. As Jenny Lewis has said: “I’ve always thought the ordinary is pretty extraordinary.”
Of the project, Sarah Robins, Metro Tunnel Creative Program Engagement Manager, said “Victoria has an incredibly diverse population. Almost half of our community was either born overseas or one (or more) of their parents were. We were inspired by Jenny Lewis’ project to take a look at this extraordinary make-up of our community.”
Victorian residents are invited to nominate their subject’s age, from 0 to 100, and submit a corresponding photo portrait and quote from their subject at 101victorians.com.au. Submissions are open from 17 January to 7 February. Please note there is only one photo allocation per age, therefore there is limited capacity for submissions.
To learn more about the Metro Tunnel Creative Program, please visit metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/creativeprogram
101 Victorians is presented by Metro Tunnel Creative Program in association with PHOTO 2022 and Jenny Lewis.
About the Metro Tunnel Creative Program: The Metro Tunnel Creative Program is committed to a program of temporary creative works that contribute to offsetting the disruption across our worksites, keeping Melbourne a vibrant and attractive destination as we build this city-shaping project.