Tools of the Trade 1
Highly Commended
Cassandra McMahon
Tools of the Trade 1 (detail) 2023
Portrait of Dr Rebecca Williams and Portrait of Hayley Moore
Digital photographic print on rag paper
85 x 115 cm
About the Artwork
At the Townsville Mortuary, Forensic Pathologist Dr Rebecca Williams and assistant Hayley Moore go about their daily ritual with mortality. Each tool they hold, wielded with clinical precision, offers a glimpse into the intricate process of unravelling the mysteries surrounding a person’s final moments. In this visual narrative, the synergy of intellect and fortitude unfolds as they navigate the delicate realm of post-mortem examinations in North Queensland.
These women, possessing minds as resilient as their craft demands, play pivotal roles in the intersection of grief-stricken families and the justice system. Beyond being a scientific pursuit, their labour becomes a profound service, offering solace to family and contributing to the pursuit of truth in the face of loss. In this exploration, I aim to illuminate not just the tools of their trade but the interplay of intellect, empathy, and resilience that defines their indispensable roles in the storytelling of the departed.
About the Artist
Cassandra McMahon is an early career artist based in Gurambilbarra/Townsville. Through photography, Cassandra seeks to create compelling visual narratives that celebrate the intersection of femininity, intellect, and cultural diversity. Cassandra’s work is informed by her own experience of growing up in Northern Queensland and she brings to her art a unique insight into the lives of the people she documents.
She is already a much-awarded and exhibited photographer: in 2023, she won and placed third in categories at the Townsville Show Photography Competition, received a Highly Commended in Travel, Photographer of the Year, and a Highly Commended in Portrait, Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers. In 2022, she was a finalist in the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize and a finalist at the Hinchinbrook Arts Awards at the TYTO Regional Gallery. In 2021, she won in the category of Animal, Focus Photography Exhibition & Awards at the Mission Beach Gallery.