At 18 Degrees we're all about getting to the heart of a story — whether it's on a windswept construction site, inside a VR world, or in this case, the quiet hum of an artist's studio. When the Art Gallery of NSW asked us to film this year's Archibald Prize winner Julie Fragar, we couldn't wait to get behind the lens.

Meeting an artist of Julie's calibre is a privilege. But getting to see her creative process up close — to step inside the studio, explore her references, hear what drives her work, and watch her bring a canvas to life — was something truly special. Her portrait is layered, personal, and full of story. Capturing that story on camera required a careful blend of observation and intuition — the same approach we bring to all our work.

The shoot was led by Brisbane Director Mel Poole and shot by Brisbane Cinematographer Dan Macarthur, whose eye for light and composition helped us honour Julie's intricate style. We focused on the tactile elements of her process — sketches, colour testing, archival photos — as well as the artist herself, reflecting on her subject and her motivations. The result is a short film that feels both intimate and cinematic, matching the emotional depth of her portrait.

Final editing was completed by the team at the Art Gallery of NSW, who brought together all the layers to share Julie's story with art lovers across the country.