Home Work: Three elements in Atong Atem's daily life that help create a semblance of balance

For artist, photographer and writer Atong Atem, there are three elements to her daily life that help create a semblance of balance: work, socialising and plenty of solitude.

In her distinctive creative work, Atem incorporates portraiture, video, and hand painting with bold colours and patterns inspired by her South Sudanese background.

She received the inaugural National Gallery of Victoria and MECCA M-Power scholarship in 2018 and has a big year ahead preparing for two major solo exhibitions.

While the sheer quantity of work can be daunting, she aims to maintain flexibility in her days.

“As a freelancer, much of your time is compressed by other people’s schedules and you have to put your feelings aside for someone else’s project or vision, but mornings and evenings I can navigate for myself.”

Mid morning

My body clock gets me up at around 10, usually. I don’t often have to do anything in the morning, so if I’ve worked late the night before, I can catch up on sleep.

I almost always listen to an album I love to gently wake myself up. I do like to indulge in a long shower, too, and also like to dance myself dry.

Most of my morning routine is about how to wake myself up and give myself space to re-energise because I had insomnia for many years and would wake up exhausted.

If I have time, I like to make an elaborate breakfast with haloumi, eggs and tomatoes.

Afternoon

The days are usually spent between production meetings, development of projects, photo shoots and going to artist talks and lectures.

I have a chalkboard with a monthly breakdown of all the things I need to do … it also helps ensure I don’t overbook.

For me, part of the fun of photography is the research and conceptualising. I’ll do a lot of thinking as I walk a lot, or reading on public transport.

That said, it’s really romantic to say I’m only going to make work that I want to make. My base is that I have to pay my bills, eat and survive and being creative is me thriving, which is something to work towards.

Evening

I love to cook dinner so I try to be home most evenings to do that. I’m close to some really nice supermarkets so I’ll be inspired as I walk down the aisle.

I work from the dining table most evenings, editing photographs and attending to deadlines. I find working at night less distracting. Also, because I really enjoy my work, it feels like a reward at the end of the day.

Bedtime

When I remember to or when I’m not too exhausted, I’ll do some yoga before bed.

I like to be in bed by 1am, but when I have things due or when I’m stressed I can stay up till 3am. If it is nearing 4am and I can’t will myself to sleep I will listen to podcasts, which for me now feels like the equivalent of having a warm glass of milk.

Madeleine Dore is a freelance writer and the creator of Extraordinary Routines.