22 year old Perth native Beau Maher is a visual artist who embodies the qualities our city’s Neo-Bohemia, a part of the creative wave that Perth is becoming increasingly known for.
Maher considers his camera to be his tool, whether it be a brand new digital SLR or a 1970’s Cannon, as a painter would his brush and with every click of his shutter – so another canvas is born for him. Well known for his penchant for taking his captured images and manipulating them into pieces of visual wonderment, Maher has produced a diverse range of widely acclaimed work. When he is not seizing an image from this world we inhabit, he is creating art for the world he inhabits; work that in his own words “touches on the level of digital art over photography”.
A repertoire that ranges from his digital manipulations to promotional work for musicians around the country landed Maher with a gig documenting the Australian-wide tour of the internationally acclaimed Saviour. An opportunity to cut his teeth in a field relatively new to him. Shooting and editing the footage of the band’s shows and their journey, Maher ran with his creative passion and came out an accomplished documentarian. What became his style is recognisable in its formation in his earlier work on Album art works and promotional posters that have made into the wide world of Australian music.
As with most artists Maher has a wanderlust and when he succumbs to that lust his muse thrives on it. Producing entirely virginal and still breathtaking photographs of vistas and people throughout South East Asia, and stop motion clips of the beautiful things and places that piqued his interest. A collection that must be seen to be believed.
While planning and direction may not be a strength of the typical artist, Maher has already set himself goals and began to beat the path he sees himself following. Possessing such a comprehensive and robust skill set, Maher is intent on turning what is now a hobby into a full-fledged career through study in the field and honing his skills. Receptive to new styles and improving towards mastery with each venture he undertakes, Maher is planning on collaborating with many of the others involved in the craft around Australia and indeed the world.
Words by Daniel Jones
Contact – beaumaher@bigpond.com
