A Conversation with Elisha McGuckin
Some objects never really leave you.
A cassette you rewound to death.
A fuzzy black-and-white TV.
A paintbrush passed down through family hands.
For Elisha McGuckin, these everyday objects are emotional anchors. An ’80s kid with a loud love for colour and pop culture, she’s drawn to the quiet poetry of ordinary life and the memories we stitch into the things we keep.
For Flash. Issue 03 — a Project See & B x Jean Marie Film collaboration that gave twenty creatives second-hand film cameras and total freedom — Elisha shot on a Nikon F-55, turning her lens toward the small, honest moments that make up a life.
Where did this project begin for you?
The plan started big, documenting a family road trip, but timelines were tight. So Elisha moved inward instead.
“I had to quickly reconfigure my concept. But the subjects were always going to reflect the meaning behind my art: a ‘simple’ life, capturing everyday moments.
In this fast-paced world we so often forget to pause and take in our immediate surroundings. To really see the chair that sits in front of us, the way the light travels across the room and bounces from one object to the next. I wanted to slow that feeling down.”
How did you approach shooting the work?
The series was photographed across three sessions, capturing 30 images.
“The first outing was with my eldest daughter. We spent a beautiful afternoon out and about, me relearning past skills and sharing them with her.
The second day was intentional still-life photography inside my art studio. With controlled lighting, I carefully compiled objects to create a gentle self-reflection — gathering bits and pieces from around my home and studio that tell my story.
On the third outing, I realised I had just a few shots left on the film and allowed myself to roam. I took snapshots of the journey from my front door to Buffalo Beach, five minutes down the highway. Buffalo Beach holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I get to share time with my dad. Rooftops have always fascinated me — the contrast between the man-made world and the vast nature of the sky. That’s the scene from our front door.”
The project feels unforced, gentle and honest. Like memory.
Your still-life work for Issue 03 titled Self Portrait, feels deeply personal.
What does it hold for you?
“I am a music lover, a child of the ’80s. I listened to cassettes and created mixtapes in my teens. The black-and-white TV sits in my studio now, but as a child it sat in my room. It was always fuzzy to watch. The paintbrush in the photo belongs to my grandfather. He was a signwriter, and although I’ve never used that brush, it is one of my dearest possessions. The fragile tape represents not just my own personal condition at times, but the state of the world. They may just be a pile of objects stacked up in the dark, but these objects tell a story of who I am and where I have come from.”
How would you describe your practice?
“Prolific. I am forever creating. Something is always screaming ‘PAINT ME!’ I am a big believer in just doing it. Without practice there are no mistakes. Without mistakes we cannot grow. I spend time every day in the studio. For the last four years I have worked on back-to-back solo exhibitions. Each collection has been extensive, and each one has taught me new lessons.”
What’s inspiring you creatively right now?
“Nostalgia has played a big part in my work recently, but I am forever fascinated by the commercial world and pop culture. I am continually drawn to vibrant colours and iconic subjects — Doc Martens, cassettes, Jordans, Allen’s Lollies. You name it, I am happy to paint it. I am fascinated by how these perceived ‘simple’ objects can awaken stories within us. They can evoke happiness, tears and laughter. My collectors share some of the most beautiful stories with me, and it is such an honour to be able to create works with such meaning.”
What’s next?
Elisha is entering a rare season. It is the first time she has not committed to a solo show, choosing instead to explore without a looming deadline.
“Right now it’s school holidays, so there are small creative projects with the kids. I love inviting them into my space. In the studio, I’m pushing my boundaries and challenging everything I’ve made so far. It’s basically code for secret business. Expect the same stuff…but very different.”
To follow what comes next, join her mailing list via her website elishamcguckin.com.au
Flash. — Exhibition & Issue 03 Launch
Flash. Issue 03 One-week-only exhibition:
19 — 25 January 2026
10am to 4pm daily
Terrace Greenhouse Gallery
223 South Terrace, South Fremantle, WA
Free entry
Project See & B is dedicated to amplifying under-represented voices in the creative industry. Issue 03 was made possible thanks to the support of The Blackbird Foundation.
