Mobile Photography Intimate Interview with Kathryn Garkut from The Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

I was intent on being good. Very, very good! I was here to save the world. I was entranced by stories an I fervently believed in magic. I spent most of my time practicing swishing a cape, adjusting my wings, brandishing a wand while searching for sparkly red slippers looking for the land of Oz. 

I was a dreamy kid which sent most teachers into red-faced paroxysms. I also had an undiagnosed learning disorder. (It was the 70s). As a result school was torture. The teachers didn’t know what to do with me so they put me in with the ‘English Second Language’ kids where I spent my time playing with paint colours and falling in love with the long-lashed eyes of Luigi. 

In my first year of high school something clicked and I was able to pull myself out of the remedial classes and into the advanced. I received the Endeavour Award and an award for poetry. 

I remember being called to the Principal’s office before the assembly and was terrified, thinking I had fried yet another teacher. 

Washing up for a neighbour who held large and lavish dinner parties. I loved it. The house was full of art and the left-overs were delicious. 

Both: A Catholic Primary, a State High School and a Catholic Senior School. Both Catholic schools were poor, the State School was well equipped and offered much more. 

Both – I went to Nursing School. In the days when it was similar to an apprenticeship – working and studying and receiving a small wage. I loved the independence and the privilege of witnessing humanity in all it’s guises. 

I desperately wanted to go to Art School but it was not an option. 

My husband and daughters. They make up for the encouragement I lacked during my early school years. 

Fitness was once a big part of my life. I wasn’t an athlete but I loved moving regularly. These days I’m the opposite of fit as I have an auto- immune inflammatory condition. When I was first diagnosed I was able to keep a reasonable level of fitness but the last few years I seem to conjure flares when I become over-tired. My most recent flare was brought on by a gentle Aqua Aerobics class for the over 60s!

These days I’m happy if I get out for a gentle walk. I have found it hard to adjust to this reality but I would not have discovered photography without it. My diagnosis and interest in photography coincided. Instagram is a big comfort when I’m incapacitated.

There are many, many, many  people worse off than me, my condition is humbling but it also reminds me how lucky I am.

The missing ingredient to this equation is opportunity. Every human is creative, it is the hallmark of our species but if opportunity doesn’t knock, success is much harder to come by. Success is one of those concepts that is in the eye of the beholder. One person’s success may be another person’s failure. 

The following quote from Matt Haig has helped me understand that we are not our successes or our failures. We are not our jobs, our outward appearance, our dis/abilities.

“Beware of the gap. The gap between where you are and where you want to be. Simply thinking of the gap widens it and you end up falling through.”

I try to keep informed and to read opposing views. To get out of my echo-chamber in order to understand. (I often fail to understand). It is a privilege to vote so I try to do it responsibly. 

I have everything I’ve ever wanted. A loving family, a little library.

(Although I wouldn’t mind Mary Poppins’ umbrella and carpet bag).

Books and coffee and green apples. 

At home in our garden, reading, walking in nature with my husband and / or children. 

To keep learning, reading, understanding human nature and therefore myself. To write a little and make pictures everyday.

To be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend I can be. 

Love. The beauty of the natural world. Creativity and curiosity. 

Without a doubt my daughters. They are kind and brave and see below the surface of things. 

The trend towards populism; the blame culture, the lack of empathy, the self righteousness – it terrifies me. 

She would be surprised at first then content and would wonder why she worries so much. 

My beloved Grandmother gave me a signet ring when I turned 13. I lost it when I was 30ish while skimming stones across a river. My Nan was a farm girl and grew up by a river on the edge of the outback and I like to think she would approve of it’s final resting place. 

The environment and the rise of populism. I often think the best thing for our planet would be our our extinction. Maybe blowing ourselves up won’t be a disaster after-all. 

I want to but I don’t. I would love nothing better than to reunite with loved ones.

I do find comfort in the idea of returning to the earth and becoming part of nature. We are after all, nature in all it’s glory.

Right this minute, it  is 9:9. I have a soft cat in my lap, a cup of coffee and books at my elbow with my lovely husband by my side.