About me

Born and raised in Melbourne, my intrigue in the history and politics of Yugoslavia began at Uni. While writing my PhD thesis on Kosovo, I worked part time for a concreting company. That’s where my concrete obsession began. Working in international organisations in the Balkans, including the UN, finally brought my two passions together. Crazy roadtrips ensued, and my lifelong dream of having my bogged car freed by Montenegrin hunters was fulfilled on the first day of my first trip. More importantly, I found my concrete wonderland. Incredible Yugoslav-era brutalist concrete monuments and buildings are everywhere in this magnificent part of the world. And while there is no shortage of brutalism in the Balkans, visiting countless magnificent monoliths in the region ignited a broader brutal quest. I am always on the lookout for ace concrete to photograph wherever I go, and I’m always planning my next trip.

My magnificent Rolleiflex

The peerless Vivian Maier introduced me to the magical powers of the Rolleiflex. As soon as I finished watching a documentary about her I immediately called my local camera shop and asked what they had in the way of Rolleiflexes. Being a quality establishment, the owner told me to come in and have a look. Knowing that it would be love at first sight and that I would be powerless to resist an impulse purchase, I went without any means of payment. My concerns were not unfounded, and my first glimpse of the Rollei 2.8E ignited a love affair that seems destined to remain in the honeymoon period. Riding my bike home from the shop was like riding in the clouds. But a sleepless night followed - what if someone else purchased my Rollei before me? An unthinkable scenario.Thankfully the wry smirk of the camera shop guy when I went back the next day (in a panicked and sweaty state) asking if it had been sold overnight indicated that I was in luck. Even though I only shoot in black and white film, my life would be a greyer place without my beloved Rollei.