Casey Jacobs awarded Regional Arts WA Next Level Fellowship for his ‘Trees of WA’ photographic project

A budding Narrogin photographer with a keen eye for landscapes has been awarded a prestigious fellowship to produce a unique body of work depicting WA’s trees.

Casey Jacobs was one of five artists awarded an $8000 Next Level Fellowship for his Trees of WA photographic project.

“Trees play an important role for life on earth,” he said.

“They are beautiful, strong, and resilient, and I’m keen to take photos of them.

“Some of the trees that I’m thinking about photographing are the Greenough Leaning Trees between Dongara and Geraldton, my Nana’s cherished lemon tree, Boranup Forest, because I’ve been down there before, and it’s amazing, and a boab tree.”

Although he has about 10 to 20 prospective leafy subjects in mind already, Jacobs hopes to take advice from his social media followers and those who staff local visitor centres on which trees they would like to see him capture.

Jacobs will spend the next year curating his portfolio, which will eventuate in a community slide-night that showcases his best 30 images.

“I feel very excited and ready to start my fellowship,” he said.

“I’m very honoured to be selected for this amazing opportunity from Regional Arts WA, and I think it will be good to get sort of get my name out there.

“I’d like to continue landscape photography, and maybe even hold my own gallery in the future to display all my beautiful photographs.”

The fellowships, funded by the WA Government through Regional Arts WA, provide young regional artists and arts workers aged 18 to 26 with up to $8,000 to pursue professional development, mentorships and creative projects over a 12-month period.

Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk said the fellowships aimed to help the next generation of regional creatives kick-start their artistic careers.

“These talented young creatives are already making important contributions to their regional communities and to WA’s cultural landscape,” she said.

“It is inspiring to see a diverse group of young people pursuing creative projects across photography, music, visual arts and community arts leadership.

“The Next Level Fellowships are about creating opportunities for emerging artists and arts workers to build skills, gain industry experience and develop sustainable careers while remaining connected to their regional communities.”

Other recipients of the fellowships include Pilbara portraiture artist Jenna Pickering, Mandurah oil and plein air painter Xanthe Turner, Geraldton arts leader Briony Bray, and South West folk-pop musician Maya Spilsbury-Slee.

Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson said it was “fantastic to see recipients from across the Wheatbelt, Pilbara, Peel, Mid West and South West pursuing opportunities that will strengthen both their own careers and the broader regional arts sector”.

Anyone with tree subject recommendations for Jacobs can send them to @caseyjacobsphotography on Instagram or Facebook.