Dean Sewell
Dean Sewell, a photographer with the Sydney Morning Herald, has been a regular finalist in Sydney Life, with his work appearing in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Career highlights since 2003?
These include winning world press awards for my works on Australian bushfires (2003) and the aftermath of the Tsunami in Aceh (2005).

My position as official documentary photographer for the Engaging Visions Project. This is a three-year commission with ANU School of Art documenting the Murray Darling Basin. Artist residencies in Hill End in 2005 and 2007. Winning the 2009 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize for my work on the Murray/Darling. Being selected for Art & About in the following years.

Selection for Sydney Life meant…
Acknowledgement for the tireless work I inject into my documentary practice in and around Sydney.

What does public art do?
It plays a crucial role in any major city or community. Photography in particular, can play a major role in helping citizens grapple with and understand the issues they face within their society. It also helps in breaking down stereotypes, and it can act purely as a portal into aspects of a society that most people wouldn’t normally obtain exposure to. Art in public spaces also circumnavigates the stigmas associated with the containment of art in private, commercial spaces. It’s inclusive instead of exclusive. Inclusiveness is what creates cohesion in societies. Jasper Knight, Dino 2006 .

Jasper Knight
Jasper Knight’s startling hot pink dinosaurs surprised visitors to the Customs House Forecourt during Art & About 2006, and gave him the opportunity to expand his own art practice beyond painting.

Career highlights since then?
I have since had sculptural installations in Berlin, China and London, and a major show of sculptural installations at Newcastle Region Gallery with my partner Isabelle Toland (who collaborated on the Art & About Dino project). I have been in the Archibald a further two times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009), and I have won the Mosman Art Prize.

How important was being selected for Art & About to you?
It gave me a chance to explore my practice outside painting. It also gave me great exposure to the general public and has lead to further projects with City of Sydney.

What does a festival like Art & About mean to you?
The festival benefits the city and community greatly. It makes Sydney feel alive and in my experience it forces people to look up from their everyday life and see six hot pink dinosaurs roaming around the inner city. Now, that is surely a good thing.

Petrina Hicks
Petrina Hicks won Sydney Life in 2004, and has since gone on to exhibit in Australia and overseas.

Career highlights since then?
I’ve had several shows at Stills Gallery, Sydney, and my work has been included in many interesting group shows. Earlier this year I had some work in Contemporary Australia: Optimism, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art and in 2008, Stills Gallery exhibited my work at Paris Photo.

What did being selected for Sydney Life mean to you?
The professional recognition gave me confidence to continue developing my artistic practice, and the exposure I received was invaluable.

Role of public art festivals?
They create a sense of community, and allow people to be involved in the creativity of the community they live in. They connect art and society, and people have so much to gain from being exposed to new ideas and art.