Perth Voice Interactive

THE images looming out of the darkness of Christophe Canato’s photos are beautiful, but also menacing, bestial and childlike.

But the French-Australian artist says it’s about an idealised childhood, not anything sinister.

“The dark is something more romantic to me, not connected to something uncomfortable,” he says, his rich French accent flowing down the line.

The lack of background detail, the unadorned black clothing and the subject matter combine to create timeless images, which the Bayswater artist says is perhaps an unrealistic portrayal of contemporary youth, obsessed by toys and technology.

“When I arrived as a migrant I needed to be close to my roots and memories. This is a souvenir of my childhood time.”

Some of the images reflect his European background. Others — like hearing the ocean in a seashell, or the simplicity of placing a thorn on a nose to conjure a dragon or rhinoceros, are more universal.

“The seashell is one of the most cliched and one everybody has.”

The images are wistful, poetic memories of a time in life where you have newfound freedoms, Canato says.

“[Not] being a teenager, but not a child either, it’s between a game and life.”

Like the ricochet of a stone skipping over the water, the images bounce between different childhood experiences, Canato says, from finding the treasures of a mother of pearl button, the skeletal remains of a frog, or the brilliant feathers of a dead parrot, watching snails mating or building a hideout from branches and leaves.

“These are the experiences that open our eyes to the wonder of the world, the start of comprehending life and death, finding beauty in small places and delighting in boundless imagination.

“This is the preparation for adulthood, where sadly the wonder and enchantment found in the everyday diminishes.

“I do not see these as portraits, or even descriptions of the artist’s own childhood memories, but rather a set of keys to open the past for all viewers.”

Canato grew up in an artistic household, studying art at the Beaux-Arts aged 17, and going on to gain a masters and then a diploma of fashion from the prestigious Institut Francais de la Mode (French Fashion Institute).

A freelancer on the Parisian fashion circuit, he switched from painting to photography as an artistic expression.

Moving to WA in 2005, Canato took out the Vincent Art Award that year and has since exhibited extensively in Australia and overseas.

Ricochet is on at Turner Galleries, 470 William Street, Northbridge until April 30.

by JENNY D’ANGER