Monica Li
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Tell
us a little about yourself and what you do.
I am a full-time
student studying Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, majoring in Chinese
Translation and English as an International Language. I am also the Secretary
and PR/Marketing Manager at Monash Photography Club.
Who
(or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?
Life. As Ruth
Bernhard once said, “If you are not interested in life, then photography has no meaning.”
Where
do you get your inspiration from when you're taking photographs?
The moment. I
believe a good photo is produced when the photographer is inspired and touched
by a certain moment, and has the passion to capture it.
What
are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Perfectionist,
funny, smart, kind, thoughtful
Tell
us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?
Hmmm… Does a
voluntary position at the Monash Photography Club count? Well, after joining
the committee I participated a lot in club activities and since met a lot of
talented photographers who inspire and amaze me.
As
an creative artist, what is your biggest frustration?
When I cannot please
MYSELF. As mentioned above, I am a helpless perfectionist, and for me,
sometimes it’s not others that I find hard to please, but rather myself. I am
surrounded by extremely supportive family and friends, who always encourage me
no matter what I do. But sometimes I find myself being not so supportive to
myself and obsessing over a few details, and I get frustrated really quickly
lol
Tell us about how you prioritise your work.
At the moment I have
to prioritise university work over my photography projects, which isn’t as bad as
it sounds (I hope), because this way photography is left as a treat for me, but
not some kind of project with a deadline (don’t you hate
that word?). And based on experience, photo outings in a hurry or under
pressure NEVER ends well.
Tell
us about the project you are working right
now with ArtSHINE?
Right now I am
working on a coffee table book with ArtSHINE and Quantum Compass. Vinh has
picked out some wonderful inspirational quotes, and I’m providing
the inspirational photos ;) And I believe we all have something very exciting
to look forward to!
ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book
Tell
us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do
you network)?
All of my friends
are an artist in some way. Needless to say I have lots of friends who are
photographers (professionals and amateurs), and my best friend from high school
Julia designs fashion! She makes most of her clothes herself, how cool is that?
Monica & Friend Julia
What
advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and
following their passions
“ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
What
dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
Hmmm… I still want
to pick up my French =P And of course travel the world! Who doesn’t want to do
that =)
What
is your proudest moment so far?
1.
When Vinh
asked me to collaborate with him on the ArtSHINE coffee table book =)
2.
When I won 1st
Prize at the Home-Economics Victoria Food Design Challenge
3.
When I met
Shaun Tan at a very small film festival and got his autograph along with a
little doodle!!!
ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book
Who
do you most want to meet and why?
Ahh, I’m too greedy,
I want to say Joshua Radin and Nigel Slater. Both because they are so
unbelievably sensual and passionate about what they do. Radin touches me
through his music and Slater through his words. I can’t even begin
to describe how and what I feel about these two gorgeous men, if I do attempt,
we’ll be here all day lol
What
book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to
recommend?
I’m currently
going through my second time of “Toast” by Nigel Slater, I would recommend this book to
everyone who loves food and life. Shaun Tan’s “The Bird King
and Other Sketches” is breath-taking. And Truman Capote’s “A Christmas
Memory”.
ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book
Where
do we find you and you to learn more about what you do?
You can find me on
Facebook =)
Some of my archive
work here:
And this is my blog, where I go about whining and gossiping, and well,
sometimes post photos ;)
ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book
Images courtesy of Monica Li- Petit Moni Photographie
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