PROFILE

A childhood in the Adelaide Hills sparked Quentin's interest in the outdoors. At the University of Adelaide he became an active climber and bushwalker - and, eventually, an arts graduate. Then travels within Australia - plus stints in the Himalaya and the USA -  encouraged him along the writing path.

Through the 1990s book projects led to extended research in the Kimberley, Kakadu and the Arnhemland. More recently he's roved widely for features in outback Queensland and South Australia. In between times, assorted Australian islands have been a favourite destination and subject.

Among many other jobs Quentin has worked as an outdoor guide, journalist and marketing manager with Paddy Pallin. The latter role was during a seven year stretch in Sydney, living on Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River.

After returning to Adelaide with his young family he moved to the hills - back where it all began. Then, three years ago, he and his wife took the plunge to live on Kangaroo Island: "When you boil it down most of what I do about wonder, the up-front marvels of nature doing its thing. And there's no better place to court nature than KI."

above - On location, Redbanks, Kangaroo Island, photo: Bill Bachman

PHOTOGRAPHY

Quentin's editorial images have surfaced in books and magazines for more than 20 years. Over that time he has worked with several fine artists and photographers, including his brother Jonathan, Alasdair McGregor, Bill Bachman and the late Peter Jarver.

Since moving to Kangaroo Island in 2009 Quentin has been increasingly drawn to photography as a response to his spectacular surroundings at Cape Willoughby. Since then he's combined ongoing writing projects with crafting fine-art images. This work is now available online and in selected venues on Kangaroo Island.

"Living day to day in such a visual environment opens up a knowledge of place. You get to dig deeper and find unusual sites in shifting light and big weather. Plus there's often another level of detail in the natural textures of stones, dunes and old trees. I love latching onto the worn 'otherness' of these things - a time-honoured beauty that's abstract and unnerving too."

Group Exhibitions

Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibition 2010

Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibition 2011 ~ Mike Hobbs Memorial Prize

Kangaroo Island Art Feast 2011

'As You Like It' - Chapman River Cellar Door,

'Captured Through The Lens' - PN Photography Gallery, Kingscote

Penneshaw Easter Art Exhibition 2012 ~ First Prize - Photography & Prints