Carlton resident proud to launch her new photography book celebrating her community

A Carlton resident and street photographer who gathered thousands of images capturing the “charming and diverse spirit” of her neighbourhood has celebrated her work in a new book.

Margot Sharman’s Eclectic Carlton has been an eight-year project in the making which documented Carlton’s “forgotten details, political statements, historic structures, and everything in between”.

Margot said her understanding of her surroundings was always going to inform her art, but it wasn’t until 2013, after an absence of several years from Carlton, that she was inspired to pick up her camera and capture a “community that was changing”.

“[As] a resident of 30 years I have seen a lot of change, and yes love its spirit, its historic landmarks, its park, also the mark left by residents,” she said.

Margot successfully launched Eclectic Carlton at Readings Carlton on July 28 with a crowd of more than 60 people present. Chris Keogh was MC for the night and Alison Stieven-Taylor discussed many aspects of the book with Margot.

Margot said photography had become an extension of her discoveries with most images having been captured in a “spontaneous manner” while walking regularly with her granddaughter and completing a fine arts degree at RMIT at the same time.

As she gathered more images, the concept of creating a self-published book developed, “then began the sorting and sifting to decide on a final number”.

“All of the images and captions, and the very careful placement of them in the book, have all been well thought out so that the juxtaposing of the images tells a story of Carlton through my eyes.”

Margo said the book, which contained “sometimes quirky and whimsical” images, was also a tangible record of a community.

“While we are inundated with images on social media, these can be deleted or disappear in an instant,” she said.

“This book is a tangible record of a period of time to hold in our hands, as we touch and flick through the pages. Please enjoy the walk through the streets of Carlton with me.” •

Caption: Carlton resident Margot Sharman launches her photography book Eclectic Carlton at Readings Carlton.