Sunrise Studios and Exhibitions
In 2021, Sunrise Studios gave Monash students the opportunity to be part of one of 30 individual, bespoke photo shoot experiences. With personalised scenes created and photographed by artist Sarah Walker, the aim of each shoot was to capture their dreams for 2020 in a single image. The clincher? Each shoot was done with its subject suspended in mid-air.
Made up of three projects - Sunrise Studio, Sunrise Rushes, and The Great Big Sunrise Band & Shadow show, there is something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.
Both Sunrise Studio and Sunrise Rushes will culminate in an on campus exhibition in 2022 that celebrates the resilience of the Monash student community. The on campus exhibition runs from Wednesday 4 May to Wednesday 8 June, 9am to 5pm, in the Alan Finkel Room, Chancellery - Clayton Campus. Follow Monash Performing Arts Centres for exhibition details as they’re announced.
This July and August, bang instruments and make noise as part of the Great Big Sunrise Band!
Neel Moudgil
Engineering, Clayton
If lockdown were a landscape, I'd be on a rock in front of a raging waterfall, listening to booming frequencies of crashing water.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Maxine Yap
Science, Clayton
If lockdown were a landscape, I'd be walking in a never-ending field.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Aimee Comas
Science / Global Studies, Clayton
If lockdown were a landscape, I'd be in a vast icy snowstorm, with no sign of human contact, playing a drum repetitively.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Rachel Cardozo
Science & global studies, Clayton
If lockdown were a landscape, I'd be in an eternal abyss or black hole, time arbitrary, the world seeming to come to a complete halt.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Michael Kats
Masters of Law, Monash City
Lockdown felt like an Orwellian landscape. Numb, we followed orders and I yearned to lead a revolution.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Charlotte Miller
Arts / Business Studies, Caulfield and Clayton
Lockdown reminded me of a ski run, pushing momentum and strength to persevere up the hills. But there was always a downhill, something a little easier.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Clara Yew
Education (primary), Clayton
Lockdown made me think of a place where you're drowning in information and interaction. But all of it feels artificial.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Matilda McClintock
Arts/Science, Clayton
During lockdown it snowed in my village for the first time in over 50 years. If I had been able to travel, I would have missed that incredible experience.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Veronica Charles
Masters in Social Work, Caulfield
Lockdown felt like being sucked up into a tornado. I tried searching for light.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Daniel Loh
Computer Sciences / Engineering, Clayton
I wanted to build a giant robot and pilot it around doing odd jobs like carrying some cargo, getting into legal giant robot fights, and earning money.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Bun Lieng Tang
Finance, Clayton
During lockdown I came to know God, and His greatness was my silver lining. My life has changed ever since.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Luca Tudd Sievers
Arts/Education, Clayton
Lockdown reminded me of a maze with tight high walls. The sky was the only thing you can see.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Tania Mahawattage
Engineering, Clayton
Lockdown reminded me of foggy mountain peaks. Everything clouded and obscured, all the breath-taking sights concealed.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
James Lauder
Arts/PPE, Politics, Philosphy, Economics, Clayton
I tried to simply exist, honestly and undeniably. Tense in the shoulders, head tilted down, poor posture, messy hair.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Emilia Bajer
Design, Caulfield
I wish I could have been in a rainforest where it's cold and rainy. The rain adding an ounce of relaxation, calmness and freshness that I wanted at the time.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Jaimi Houston
Archaeology, Clayton
Lockdown reminded me of a cave or a camp in the middle of the mountains, where the only thing you must do is care for yourself and cater to your immediate needs.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Mariel Garcia
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), Peninsula
Lockdown reminded me of monochrome valleys and hills, lying in frozen blades of grass, watching the sky erupt and waiting for its energy to swallow me into the next void.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Ryan Hamilton
Business/Arts, Caulfield & Clayton
Lockdown reminded me of waves at a beach when you’re just past the breakers and it’s going up and down and you’ve just gotta keep treading water.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Kabir Basu
Aerospace engineering / Clayton
A landscape with no colour, no inspiration, no fulfilment. Millions of people stuck in their own box staring at a screen, longing to interact but accepting the fact they can’t. I imagined shattering the box I was in.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Jean Najem
Master of data science, Clayton
I imagined myself as a leader walking calmly back and forth on a terrace of an electric airship, overseeing several continents. Worried, over-thinking and noting down ideas, loopholes, strategies and tactics.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Chelsea Rabl
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Science, specialising in Environmental Engineering and Geographical Science, Clayton
I imagined myself standing and staring into nothing, swaying a little like I'm about to faint, screaming so loudly that the birds fly into the sky and a storm comes.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Joshua Berg
Double degree - Science (pure mathematics major) and computer science (data science specialisation), Clayton.
Lockdown reminded me of a perfectly flat, empty landscape filled with fog. The only colours visible being various shades of grey.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Felicity Manley
Master of Professional Psychology, Clayton
Lockdown was an ocean. I was floating trying to help those who were drowning.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Grace Morrison
Arts (Chinese Major), Clayton
During lockdown I felt frozen, like I was drowning. Dancing saved me, it made me feel like I could breathe again.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Angela Vu
Biological science, Clayton
Lockdown was a hyper-normal setting like a supermarket, and everyone in it behaved in an animalistic, selfish manner. I imagined wrapping myself protectively around my own commodities, at the same time shrinking back in disbelief.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Ashleigh Baxter
Performing Arts, Clayton
Lockdown felt like a sand dune. I was rolling and writing in the sand what I could never say out loud.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Anushri Kumar
Science, Clayton
During lockdown I felt like I was tumbling in a fetal position with my arms wrapped all around me. Curled up in a ball. Hands on my ears, just overall to myself.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Tiernan McClaren
Double degree of Engineering and Commerce, majoring in Aerospace and Economic Sustainability, at Clayton
During lockdown I felt like I was hanging upside down. The silver lining was that, or better or worse, I got to know me.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Georgia Bell
Bachelor of Arts at Clayton
I imagined myself sitting on a swing set with a cool breeze flow through me. Fresh air, and space and the feeling of stretching out and flying.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker
Adele Cattenazzi
Bachelor of Arts (Theatre/Performance) at Clayton
I wish I could have been on a camping trip, where I could see all the stars, listen to the wind, toast a marshmallow, be at peace and close to nature, making friends with the spiders.
Photo Copyright 2021 Monash University
Photographer Sarah Walker