Dave Nettle

I am a visual artist based in Adelaide living on Kaurna land. Working mostly with photography, watercolour and ink, I am interested in capturing life in the urban landscape… national parks in view of cities or forgotten corners of the city and the suburbs. I like familiar scenes that can evoke a special memory. In 2020 I was diagnosed with a large brain tumour, which once removed, left me with a brain injury. One day I was a geologist in a large company, with a stressful and high energy job… next minute I struggle to communicate and lost my self identity. To relax and meditate I started walking, no intent… just to walk, trying to be present and observe. Now I am re-learning to communicate, move and socialise, but importantly I feel more I feel connected with myself. I use street photography as therapy and a vehicle to communicate. I focus on my mental health, I want to be attuned to everything… people… light…. the city, to pay attention to now. Find beauty of the otherwise lost. Through my lens I want to see real people and express ideas about the city spaces we share and how we connect, and to raise awareness of the value of mental health.