ARTIST'S STATEMENT
My art is autobiographical.
I collaborate with various people who provide an alter ego in front of my camera and through whom I express myself.
These alter egos symbolise the feminine aspect of my psyche the 'anima' - hence, my signature body of work is titled the Anima Series.
The Anima Series is a lifelong creative project begun in 1984 and includes such themes as spirituality, the human condition and lost innocence. The last of these derives from my military service as a teenager in the Australian SAS Regiment. This experience has moved me in the opposite direction, towards the feminine part of the masculine psyche as a means of striking a balance in my life.
The brooding Gothic appearance of my images reflect the shadow side of human nature, yet also acknowledge the wonder and fascination we experience as children. The world is simultaneously haunting and beautiful. New and old. Challenging and wondrous.
For me, the Anima Series is a spiritual returning to myself.
For more information, please visit: www.rjpoole.com/about/
or go to:
R J Poole
rjpoole12@yahoo.com | www.rjpoole.com
Solo Exhibitions:
2024 - Villa Spinola Narsano, Genoa, Italy
- Paul Meccanico, Keen St. Lismore NSW Australia
2019 - I Fell Gallery, 4th St. W Bloomington, Indiana USA
2015 - Brick Lane Gallery, 196 Brick Ln, London, UK
2015 - Depot II Gallery, 2 Danks St. Waterloo, Sydney NSW Australia
2008 - Lismore CBD, Magellan St. Lismore NSW Australia
2005 - Lismore Regional Gallery, Lismore NSW Australia
2005 - Waywood Gallery, Byron Bay NSW Australia
2004 - The Roxy Gallery, Kyogle NSW Australia
2001 - The Byronian Café, Byron Bay NSW Australia
2001 - Bruce Watling Gallery, Southport QLD Australia
2001 - Wayward Gallery, Byron Bay NSW Australia
1999 - Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah NSW Australia
1999 - Upstairs Gallery, Magellan St. Lismore NSW Australia
1999 - Lismore Regional Gallery, Lismore NSW Australia
1985 - Praxis Gallery, Fremantle WA Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2024 - Floating Souls - Terrarium Belém, Brazil - June 22nd 2024
2023 - Psycho-Alchemy - Lismore NSW Australia - October 2023
2023 - Hypnos International Exhibition in Celaya Mexico - September 2023 - February 2024.
2022 - Intersection Gallery in Burnie TAS from 3rd March 2022- 27th March 2022
2022 - Redland Gallery in Cleveland QLD from 13th May 2022- 19 June 2022
2022 - Goldfields Art Centre in Kalgoorlie W.A from 1st July -22nd August 2022
2022 - Bay Discovery Centre Glenelg S.A from 20 October - 12 December 2022
2022 - 'Twins', Leoniart Project, Latin University in Celaya, Mexico
2022 - Teetering on the Edge, Metropole Hotel, Lismore NSW Australia
2022 – Twins, Leoniart Project, Italy, Mexico, Greece
2022 - 'Deep Blue', Leoniart Project, Genoa, Italy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNsGbf3PpMU
2021 - The Abyss Exhibition, Leoniart Project, Espinho, Portugal
2021 - ‘Living Memory’ Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra ACT Australia
2020 – Percival Portrait Prize – Townsville, Qld Australia
2019 - Visionary Art – Sullen Waters - LeoniArt Drop II, Genoa, Italy
2019 - Visionary Art Exhibition – LeoniArt Drop I, Genoa, Italy
2018 - International Exhibition of Visionary Art, Genoa, Italy
2014 - ‘Of the Heart’ Exhibition, Channon Gallery, The Channon NSW Australia
2011 - Light Garden Project, Lismore Lantern Parade, Lismore NSW Australia
2005 - The Barebones Art Space, Bangalow NSW Australia
2004 – ‘Through My Window show' The Roxy Gallery, Kyogle NSW Australia
Public Collections:
2016 – ‘The Bentley Blockade’, State Library, NSW Sydney Australia
Publications and Media:
2025 - Guest speaker at Southern Cross University 'Go Global Event' Gold Coast Campus. April 2025
2024 – Genova 24 Newspaper Anima Series Exhibition - www.genova24.it/evento/gli-spazi-oscuri-della-psiche-nell...
2024 - La TV dei Cittadini - Anima Series Exhibition - www.byoblu.com/2024/09/11/anima-series-genova-28-settembre/ Genoa, Italy
2024 - The Nimbin Good Times, September Edition - Anima Series of World-Class Photography
2022 - River FM 92.9 - Our Story's - Sunday 23rd
2022 – Nimbin Good Times, September Edition – Local Mono Award Winner
2021 – Canberra Times - ‘Living through it doesn’t mean we know it. And that’s OK by Jacob McArthur, Oct 1st 2021 www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7450740/living-through-it-...
2021 - LeoniArt Project - The Abyss Exhibition www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN4dSnGxV5U
2021 – Northern Rivers Review - digital-print-edition.austcommunitymedia.com.au/NRR/2021/...alia
2021 - Lismore App - lismoreapp.com.au/news-sport/news/lismore-photographer-wi...
2021 - Lismore Echo - www.echo.net.au/2021/08/local-photog-honoured-in-national...
2021 – Guardian Newspaper - www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2021/jul/30/aust...
2021 – Living Memory: Brilliant moments captured by the 2021 National Photographic Portrait Prize finalists, Sultan News, salten.cz/
2021 - Living Memory: Brilliant moments captured by the 2021 National Photographic Portrait Prize finalists, T-Gate, www.tech-gate.org/usa
2021 – Feature Article – Echo Newspaper, Lismore NSW Australia www.echo.net.au/2021/04/local-photographer-finalist-in-na…
2020 – Artist Talk and public showing, Lismore Art Space, 1 Norris St. Lismore NSW Australia
2020 - Lismore Ech - www.echo.net.au/2020/09/r-j-poole-coming-to-talk-at-lismo...
2019 - Feature Article in EYE-Photo Magazine, March edition, Vienna Austria www.eye-photomagazine.com/
2016 – Feature Article in EYE Photo Magazine, June edition, Vienna Austria
2016 - Current Masters II World Wide Art Book, May Edition, Santa Barbara USA
2011 - 'Exploring the feminine in the male psyche’, The Weekend Star, Lismore NSW Australia
2010 - 'Nine years in Afghanistan enough for all Australians', The Northern Star, Lismore NSW Australia
2009 - 'Don't be afraid to express yourself', The Northern Rivers Echo, Lismore NSW Australia
2008 - 'Finding a window to his feminine side' The Weekend Star, Lismore NSW Australia
Film and Television
2022 - Interview by Corrado Leoni in Genoa, Italy - www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuquaMKByV4
2021 - Inner Portraits, Short film by Christian Berzi, Byron Film Festival, Byron Bay NSW Australia. www.bbff.com.au/short-films/inner-portraits
2021 - ABC News - iview.abc.net.au/video/NU2104C181S00
2021 - Inner Portraits, Short film by Christian Berzi, Cinema Nova, Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, Australia
2021 - Inner Portraits, Short film by Christian Berzi, St Kilda Film Festival, Melbourne Australia
2017 - The Woman in Man, Documentary film by David Tindale, Byron Bay Film Festival, Byron Bay Australia
Honours and Awards:
2024 - Finalist - Photographer of the Year 2024 People's Choice - Australian Photography
2024 - Diploma Di Socio Onorario, Genoa Italy
2023 - Photographer of the Year, People's Choice Top 30 Ted's Camera House
2023 - Honorable Mention - International Photography Awards - Los Angeles, CA Untied States of America
2023 - Best Photo Award - 'Jump to the Future' time capsule 2057, Genoa Italy
2022 - Highly Commended - Mono Awards (Australian Photography and Capture) People's Choice Award - Would you like to come in.
2022 - Highly Commended - Mono Awards (Australian Photography and Capture) People's Choice Award - Rearrangement.
2021 – Distinction – ‘Living Memory’ exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra ACT Australia
2021 – Finalist – National Portrait Prize, Canberra ACT Australia
2020 - Highly Commended - Mono Awards (Australian Photography and Capture) People's Choice Award.
2020 - Semi-Finalist - Head On Photo Festival, Sydney NSW Australia - www.headon.com.au/exhibitions/portrait-award-2020
2017 - Biafarin Honour Award, Arte Laguna contest, Venice Italy
1985 - 1st prize for works on paper – TLC Sabemo Contest, Perth WA Australia
Member of the following organisations:
National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) joined 2012 See less
Quotes:
'Genuine art is a product of either fear or love. While there is always an intellectual component in this, it’s guts are raw and gritty and founded in the pain of experience.'
'The older I've become, the less I realize I know.'
Showcase
- JoinedMarch 2011
- OccupationPhotographic Artist / Writer / Teacher
- CountryAustralia
- Emailrjpoole12@yahoo.com
- Websitehttp://www.rjpoole.com
- TwitterRJPoole1
- Pinterestrjpoole12
Most popular photos
Testimonials
Le "Moi" est une belle idée à inventer en soi, en regardant l'autre se projeter pour en retrouver un sens donné au Vivant. Tout nous est choix, visions changeantes selon l'état des fibres de nos cellules en mode vibrations... en devenirs. Belle galerie, de beaux visages, regards ou l'intensité de la vie donne de la cou… Read more
Le "Moi" est une belle idée à inventer en soi, en regardant l'autre se projeter pour en retrouver un sens donné au Vivant. Tout nous est choix, visions changeantes selon l'état des fibres de nos cellules en mode vibrations... en devenirs. Belle galerie, de beaux visages, regards ou l'intensité de la vie donne de la couleur au noir et blanc.
Read lessYours is a very professional work, with attention to detail, in particular and, above all, to the light. That light that gives us spectators restlessness, an anxiety that leads us to think about the next action; often nefarious. Congratulations on the style. Greetings from Italy, Gianni
A Brilliant Talent with a camera, creating a quite thought-provoking gallery
Stumbled on your photostream and admired your work. Well, admired is an understatement. Clever, well thought out and creative work. Thank you for sharing on a broader platform. I'll carry on browsing now...
I keep coming back. Her work is simply sublime; she has both the creativity and technical proficiency necessary to create masterpieces. Which she repeatedly does. This is art at its highest level. I find any photo I randomly pick to be captivating and intriguing. There's a certain satisfaction when I recognize her … Read more
I keep coming back. Her work is simply sublime; she has both the creativity and technical proficiency necessary to create masterpieces. Which she repeatedly does. This is art at its highest level. I find any photo I randomly pick to be captivating and intriguing. There's a certain satisfaction when I recognize her references to earlier artists or movements, but wonder how much is going over my head. She adds beauty to life.
Read lessPowerfull imagery, wow.
Outstanding level of creativity, what a wonderful universe you're sharing with us ! I love your art so much...! It speaks to me straight to the heart. It's strong, powerful, sensitive, poetic, my words aren't enough to describe the pleasure I had giving a look to your work. Take very good care of you and keep on creati… Read more
Outstanding level of creativity, what a wonderful universe you're sharing with us ! I love your art so much...! It speaks to me straight to the heart. It's strong, powerful, sensitive, poetic, my words aren't enough to describe the pleasure I had giving a look to your work. Take very good care of you and keep on creating, it's a real treat ! Colin
Read lessThe photos Captured in R J Poole’s Stream deserve to be more than just glanced at. Each one is a work that tells its own story, from the simple understated look in a models eye, to the action captured in a moment forever frozen by the lens. A talented photographer whose collective studies contains a most noteworthy wo… Read more
The photos Captured in R J Poole’s Stream deserve to be more than just glanced at. Each one is a work that tells its own story, from the simple understated look in a models eye, to the action captured in a moment forever frozen by the lens. A talented photographer whose collective studies contains a most noteworthy work of tantalizing imagery and powerful, thought provoking ideas….
Read lessWonderful
I am in love with RJ's work. That's it. I cannot really find words to describe my fascination for his/her sublime, aesthetically pleasing photographs. I love how the light is beautifully used and captured, and how the ideas of The Anima Series are expressed. Each photograph is a dream, and they make me wonder, and wand… Read more
I am in love with RJ's work. That's it. I cannot really find words to describe my fascination for his/her sublime, aesthetically pleasing photographs. I love how the light is beautifully used and captured, and how the ideas of The Anima Series are expressed. Each photograph is a dream, and they make me wonder, and wander in my mind.
Read lessWe came across RJ's work a short while ago and have been captivated by the haunting nature of the photographs and beauty they depict though in apparently tragic manner. Great work and very interesting to read his biography on his website. definitely recommended and always appreciated by us
Los retratos son verdaderamente fantásticos y muy emotivos, cada uno de ellos habla por si mismo. Felicitaciones tu galeria es excelente!
Allways fascinating and allways disturbing,I am very interested in this very personnal photography experience which moves me every time ,keep on shooting (sorry for my english ,I am french )
I have been following R J Poole for a good while how... I find his work a great inspiration... He has depth and feeling that i have rarely seen... His mastery of the medium of photography shows as a story teller spinning a tale more than capturing the moment with light... I wish him the best and for him to always expan… Read more
I have been following R J Poole for a good while how... I find his work a great inspiration... He has depth and feeling that i have rarely seen... His mastery of the medium of photography shows as a story teller spinning a tale more than capturing the moment with light... I wish him the best and for him to always expand the horizons of all who see his work...
Read lessThe beautiful and endearing Photographic artworks produced by RJ Poole, is indeed a remarkable achievement in the world of modern art. The mystical modern atmosphere always drags our fantasies into the world. there is something very interesting and fantastic in every of his work with fascinating symbols .. I always fo… Read more
The beautiful and endearing Photographic artworks produced by RJ Poole, is indeed a remarkable achievement in the world of modern art. The mystical modern atmosphere always drags our fantasies into the world. there is something very interesting and fantastic in every of his work with fascinating symbols .. I always follow and favorite every work I am very impressed with what RJ Poole does in the world of modern art .. and as an artist he is very talented ... "it shows that he once existed this world with his martial art" April 16,2018
Read lessR J Poole is a master of the photographic art. These are works with a profound beauty to them, that seem to draw out the very souls of their subjects. Keep the good work coming, my friend.
R J Poole’s artwork is sublime. In every one of his photos there is an ethereal beauty. Images that are suspended in time. The narrative that goes along with his art is deep and well thought out. He captures his subjects at the perfect moment, his pairings work exceptionally well and his chosen settings are superb.
A rather wonderful discovery. Poole's work is a combination of the curious, imaginative and searching desire within us all. I get the impression that his models have a magical connection which they seem to have forgotten exists...and are desperately trying to re-establish and fulfil their potential.
Every image from R J Poole is arresting and mesmerising. All of them are hauntingly beautiful and often (maybe always?) just a little bit weird and strange, which I think is terrific and is what holds my interest. The photographs have an edge. I wonder about the stories. I am transfixed by the sublime beauty. With thes… Read more
Every image from R J Poole is arresting and mesmerising. All of them are hauntingly beautiful and often (maybe always?) just a little bit weird and strange, which I think is terrific and is what holds my interest. The photographs have an edge. I wonder about the stories. I am transfixed by the sublime beauty. With these images we are in the present and the past. Inspirational. A master artist. What next?
Read lessOne feels both a trauma and a rising beauty in RJ's work. Often there is a seriousness and a precision, and always an alertness in thought and visual. The works of word and image are technically mouth watering and delicious to taste. RJ is a master.
R J wrote that his work is both an emotional and spiritual experience. Not only does he succeed in accomplishing that, his photography also makes the viewer pause in awe, mesmerized by the image and the meanings.
I would like to give my compliments for this stream and the beautifull works of art. I admire the philosophy in the profile-page.