MEET DENIS
For nearly 20 years my art practice has played a significant role in my life. The documentary at the bottom of the page covers the early days, they were wild times.
I recently retrained as a counsellor but remain deeply engaged in my art practice. These two parts of my life exist in parallel. They inform each other and have given me the opportunity to engage with people from widely varying lifestyles, countries, and backgrounds.
What I have come to understand is that, while our lives may look very different on the surface, many of the challenges we face are shared.
My art practice has always carried an underlying connection to wellbeing, and that will continue. My counselling work builds on that in a more direct way, offering a space for people to feel heard, understood, and supported.
Whether standing on a salt lake, at a workshop, or in a counselling session, the intention is the same to be present, to listen carefully, and to engage with people in a genuine and respectful way. If you take something away that helps you navigate you life in a positive way, that is a joyous thing.
I have a daughter Brittany, an artist, a teacher and incredible human.
My wife Kyrie is also a healer, a creative and a gorgeous partner in life.
Peace, Denis
THE BALL OF LIGHT DOCUMENTARY
In 2011, Sam Collins was wandering through an Adelaide arts and craft market and spotted some intriguing photography on display. He introduced himself to the gentleman behind the work and they chatted for a few minutes. Sam opportunistically suggested he’d like to make a short film about the photographs and the technical process involved, and the photographer, Denis, agreed to be a willing subject.
That chance meeting led to the Ball of Light documentary, a short film written and directed by Sam Collins. The film set out to explain Denis Smith’s Ball of Light photographic project from a technical point of view. However, over the course of making the film, it was clear there was a much more powerful story to tell.
The film shifted focus, ultimately becoming more about being a human than being a photographer...
Sam and Denis remain close friends.