Phoebe Powell
Melbourne-based photographer Phoebe Powell’s images are motivated by curiosity and connection, and her portraiture is rooted in an ethos of compassion. Working closely with her subjects to encourage self expression and honesty in their portrayal, Powell’s work is engrained with themes of intimacy and identity. At the flattened end of the first wave of COVID 19 infections in Melbourne, Phoebe was commissioned by the Metro Tunnel Creative Program to photograph over fifty healthcare professionals working to manage the pandemic for a photographic essay titled Thank You. Exhibited publicly on the construction hoardings for the new Parkville Station, the work gained international recognition within days, bringing about a wider acknowledgement of the people dedicated to keeping Victoria safe. It is this ability to inform, educate and inspire that draws Phoebe to photographic storytelling.