Valerie Chetelat

Swiss born, Valérie Chételat, has for the last decade also been a permanent resident of Australia, dividing her time between hemispheres.  Following studies in architecture, Valérie diverged to photography and began working professionally in 1991.

In between working for Bern Newspaper, Der Bund, and freelancing for various magazines, Valérie’s creative projects explore aspects of contemporary culture; documenting the customs and behaviours of urban society. The recently published photo book, ‘Biel-Bienne: Neue Horizonte, bekannte Traditionen‘, (Biel-Bienne:  New Horizons, well-known traditions) features a selection of her current work along these themes. Valérie has also won various photographic awards including the prestigious Swiss Press Photo Award in 2009.

The Australia Festival theme of ‘Home and Hospitality’ is particularly fitting given Valérie’s background in architecture and unique perspective from a decade of straddling both hemispheres and observing differences in how Australians and Europeans live. Valérie’s work for the Australia Festival will present a unique take on Australian cultural morés from a European perspective, that daily, becomes just that little bit more Aussie.

 

To view more of her work visit www.valeriechetelat.com