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Boxer, Blake Travers, 2017

by Patrick Bell

Finalist, Digital Portraiture Award 2017
Single channel HD digital video

Boxer, Blake Travers, 2017 by Patrick Bell
Video: 5 minutes

Boxer is a portrait of a young professional boxer, Blake Travers. When Blake and I met during a hospitality shift, we immediately got along – his sense of humour and energy is unique, and his positive demeanour shines in any situation. Blake is an Indigenous Australian; he was born in Cessnock, NSW, although – as a Murri man – he is at home in South East Queensland. This portrait was shot at his home/gym in Jimboomba, QLD. Life has not always been easy for Blake, but his career as a fighter has been a strong one, with inspirational discipline and focus. On Wednesdays, Blake teaches me to box and I teach him the guitar – we joke and learn about our respective life experiences – they are very different, yet resonate strongly for each of us. I look forward to Wednesdays.

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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