8 Metres Deep in Debt, 2025

A shopping trolley, 8 metres deep in the sea. Unbeknownst to anyone on the surface, the trolley sits silently on the ocean floor, out of sight, a hidden burden. Found and photographed while freediving off the coast of Perth, this image captures more than a discarded object; it reflects the invisible weight many carry in today’s economic climate. The trolley becomes a symbol of the rising cost of living and the quiet struggles unfolding beneath the surface of everyday life. Do we sink or swim?

Madeleine Fogliani is a Perth based photographer whose work explores the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment, both personal and collective. A graduate of Curtin University with a Bachelor of Arts, Madeleine’s practice shifts fluidly between suburban documentary and surreal experimentation, capturing the absurd, the poetic, and the uncanny within the familiar. Driven by a deep curiosity about identity, human experience, and the spaces we inhabit, Madeleine’s lens brings attention to the ways in which personal narratives and larger environmental contexts intertwine, creating visually powerful works that invite reflection and emotional engagement.

Her recent artistic achievements include being selected as a finalist in the 2024 Perth Centre for Photography’s CLIP Award and a finalist in the 2025 City of Subiaco Photographic Awards.