An interest in the changing nature of photography, and how photography changes nature, or at least our perceptions of it, has been a major motivating factor in my creative output for almost twenty years now. After Frederick Sommer said, "...some speak of a return to nature, I wonder where they could have been?" I too wonder, where have they been, and what have they got to show for the experience? Who after all hasn't been compelled to peer down dark alleyways or inside sites of construction or destruction, what do they expect to find, why isn't the cacophony of the city enough to keep people on the main street? Is it a search driven by desire or fear, and how much of a struggle it must be for some to take that first tentative step into that uncertain journey; destination unknown. This subject matter is chosen because these are the places that make me pause and reflect on this uncertain journey, these sites and locations are both windows and mirrors, a view into and reflection of us and the places we manufacture, destroy, build.

Bio Stuart Murdoch was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts (Photography) from the Philip Institute of Technology (1991); a Postgraduate Diploma of Education, Secondary from the University of Melbourne (1995); and a Master of Arts from RMIT University. His award-winning photography has been exhibited extensively in Melbourne since 1998, including the shows "Web to Wall" at 69 Smith St., Collingwood (2006); "Two points in time" at Smyrnios Gallery, Prahran (2004) and "Urban or Urbane?" at Swanston St. Melbourne (2002).

Funding for metroblossom is provided in part through the generous support of The University of Chicago Arts Planning Council and Class of 2001 Gift's Student Fine Arts Fund.