Alice Branch

“In order to be open to creativity one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.” Rollo May

Chapel Island was always there. At various points throughout my day, no matter where I was on the island, I would cast my gaze in its direction.

Chapel Island is a very small island off the west coast of Flinders Island, which is located off the north east coast of Tasmania. I spent five weeks exploring Flinders Island, I travelled in every direction and back again, walked up and down the highest mountain- Mt Strzelecki- a number of times, swam in the wintery ocean and exposed numerous rolls of film. I took many photographs of Chapel Island, looking back I can see I was drawn to it as a reflection of the physical and emotional isolation I was experiencing at the time.

I remember spending many evenings looking out to this small peak of land in the vast ocean. The sunsets were always subtly different from the day before. I would take the time to sit and be present to see the colours change and the light slowly fade.

After I left the island I was told that there was a fire on Chapel Island. A friend took some photographs and sent them to me. I was glad I wasn’t there to see it.