[Exhibition] City of Perth Photomedia Award 2006, PICA, 6 Oct - 5 Nov 2006

The City of Perth 2006 PhotoMedia Award exhibition at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) showcases the work of 30 of Australia 's foremost professional creative practitioners working in photographic media. The exhibition will encompass a variety of media that explores both hi-tech contemporary usage of photomedia, as well as conventional ways of using the artform. (PICA website)

For more information, view the exhibition catalogue online.

[Exhibition] 'March of the Missing' - Perth Centre for Photography, opening Saturday the 21st of October, 6:00pm

'March of the Missing' is a very special exhibition by Melbourne photographer Georgia Metaxas, whose photography is helping to keep the memories alive of those missing in Cyprus.The Government of Cyprus is locked in a tragic humanitarian battle to find just over 1500 missing Cypriots from the Turkish invasion of1974 and to give families concrete answers as to their loved ones'fate.

The official opening will take place at PCP on Saturday evening by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cypress.

For more information please visit the PCP website http://www.pcp.org.au/

[Exhibition] My Place WA – Photography Competition finalists exhibition

The 15 finalist photographs from the My Place WA Photography competition are on display in the lobby of Parmelia House at 191 St George's Terrace Perth from October 4 until 12pm on Thursday October 19 for public voting. The photographs are also available for viewing online at: http://myplacewa.highway1.com.au/

[Competition] People, puddles & paddocks - Water in the Landscape

From the Land Water Australia website:

Share in $15,000 and help us celebrate our 15 year anniversary. Send in your photos that capture the sense and spirit of Australia's landscapes, livelihoods and lifestyles. For more details and an entry form visit the Photography Competition page.

[Exhibition] A Brush with a Camera, University Club, UWA, Hackett Drive, Crawley - Sept 1 to 29

Local artist/photographer, Gareth Gorman opens his first solo exhibition of paintings and photos at the UWA University Club, Hackett Drive, Crawley at 6pm, September 1.

Gorman, who is currently studying Fine Art and History at UWA has participated in group exhibitions before, but this will be his first as a Solo Artist. Gorman explain his reasons for going solo: "I've exhibited paintings in many exhibitions before but I've been limited to one or two pieces and, sometimes, I feel restricted by the themes of the competitions. I like to paint what I like, not what should be painted to win a competition. I can also include my favourite works so others can, hopefully, enjoy them as much as I."

Many artists find the prospect of a solo exhibition both a daunting and exciting experience -- Gorman is no different: "I was worried I wouldn't have enough to offer. Now I think I have too much."

Gorman's exhibition explores themes close to his heart: colour, coast, water and sky. Living close to the ocean and river, he draws inspiration from the environment and the creatures (human and otherwise) that inhabit it. "We live so near the coast and river I'm spoiled for choice. I also travel a fair bit soI now take my trusty Canon with me everywhere. I tend to include people in my paintings, there must be a human or fauna element to give some movement and scale to the scene. Still lifes were never my thing," Gorman adds.

Gorman's other love is portraiture - this exhibition will feature some of his special fine art portrait paintings and photographs. Says Gorman: "The human body is a wonderful thing and if I can capture a reasonable likeness, then it gives me a great sense of satisfaction and achievement."

"Initially I took poor photos as references for my painting ( I could always alter and improve things on the canvas ). The purchase of a digital SLR improved the quality of my photographs so that my interest has now swung toward photography. I have also found that I'm looking for the abstract in subjects now, whereas before I'd simply look for a good subject to paint. Colour and form have always been important to me and I try to incorporate both elements into my work. As I live near the river and ocean on the western side of the continent I have a constant source of subject matter."

Gorman's love of the beach and coastal scenes will be evident in the paintings on exhibition. His photographs will cover a gamut of subjects: flowers, people, vistas, birds, cloudscapes, sunsets or sunrises. Why art and photography? "There's so much this world has to offer," says Gorman, "and I'm thankfull my art training has allowed me to actually SEE it. Which is something I tried to instill in my pupils... see what you are looking at. Of course, unless you know what to look for you're going to see nothing and miss this wonderful world.

"Photography has come a long way since the camera was first used and I am of the opinion that fine art includes photographic work. As I used photographs ( poorly taken for the best part ) as references for my paintings I thought it appropriate to have a mixed exhibition. My photography seems to have improved since November, when I was given a digital SLR. I've also included some abstact, digitally enhanced images to balance the content."

All of Gorman's work in the exhibition will be for sale, apart from a few portraits on loan.

• Where: UWA University Club, Hackett Drive, Crawley
• When: Sept 1 - Sept 29, 2006
  

[News] Book launch: Bohdan Warchomij's Portrait of a Revolution

The launch date of Bohdan Warchomij’s long awaited panoramic book witnessing the Ukrainian Orange Revolution is now penciled in. The book will be launched at Greens, Oxford Street, Leederville, on Sunday October 1, 2006 at 6.30 pm.

The book is a collectible photographic hardbound book on uncoated stock with a laminated cover and a foreword by David Dare Parker, a highly respected Australian Photojournalist. It includes an incisive essay by Professor Marko Pavlyshyn from Monash University in Melbourne on the political background to the Orange Revolution, a peaceful people’s revolution which changed the democratic process in Ukraine so dramatically.

Featuring 132 pp of definitive black and white and colour images which document the scenario in Kyiv in November and December of 2004 the book captures the feel of the Revolution and hints of a darker, less optimistic future.

The images from the book have been exhibited widely, at Monash University in November 2005 and in Fremantle Prison in March and April 2006 as part of Foto Freo, an International Photography Festival.

Gail Williams, in STM on the 19 March 2006, wrote “When Bohdan Warchomij packed his camera and returned to his homeland of Ukraine, he walked into the story of a lifetime”.
Join us for the launch party at Greens and secure your copy of this limited release book.

More information is available at: www.warchomij.com
www.backpackbook.com

[News] Louise Mann takes Photographic Prize in City of Melville Art Awards

Louise Mann ~ Photograph by Guy McLachlan (GuyMac Design)

Local Perth photographer, Louise Mann, took top honours in this year's City of Melville Art Awards - Photography Section, at the Opening and Presentation Ceremony on Friday 25th Aug. Her winning piece, entitled Little Red Girl -- an artistic portrait of Mann's own daughter presented in her signature style -- won praises from judges for its ethereal and artistic qualities.

Visit Louise's web site at: www.louisemann.com

[Competition] City of Subiace Photographic Awards

The City of Subiaco Photographic Awards competition has been in full swing. More information and the entry form can be found on their website.

Entries close: September 1 (not long to go!)

[Competition] Smile with Centro

With a cash prize of $10,000 plus a multitude of Olympus MJU-600 cameras to be won, the 'Smile with Centro' photography competition is certainly going to be a popular one. More information along with entry forms and an online submission form can be found on their web site: http://www.smilewithcentro.com.au/

Entries close: 5pm Friday 15th September

[News] Simple country boy takes "Highly Commended" prize at City of Belmont Art Awards

Nathan Cantwell, a self-professed "simple country boy" from Albany, WA, took out the "Highly Commended" award in this year's City of Belmont Art awards for his photograph entitled: "Fleeting".

This was an inaugural win for Cantwell, 31, who has been a keen photographer for a few years. Usually a photographer of landscapes, Cantwell decided to branch out into a more 'impressionistic' style of photography when he was given an old 300mm lens by a good friend.

"It's a completely manual lens - no autofocus, no metering, no apperture or shutter speed priority," said Cantwell, which is certainly testament to the fact that it's not the equipment that makes for an outstanding photo -- it's the photographer

Cantwell's compositions of local bird life, caught in mid-motion, have a painterly quality about them; award judges agree, remarking that his entry - "Fleeting" - an image of a butcher bird just taking flight from a branch - is reminiscent of a Japanese print.

Fleeting ~ by Nathan Cantwell

Cantwell's prize-winning photograph, as well as other entries in the City of Belmont Art Awards, can be viewed at the Belmont Forum Shopping Centre from Monday August 21 to Saturday September 2nd.

[Exhibition] Sam James - I'll believe in anything - Perth Centre for Photography, 91 Brisbane St. Perth, 16 Aug - 3 Sept

Sam James inaugural exhibition "I'll Believe in Anything" takes us into the intimate worlds of his existence. Showcasing a collection of portraits (self and others), snapshots, events and incidents, "I'll Believe in Anything" is, according to Sam:

"... about we and us. The feeling of we and us. I love that feeling.
I don’t mean we and us exclusively, as a couple, like boyfriend and girlfriend or
anything like that . I mean we and us as in, you know, The Gang... us... the
whole gang… all of us.
It's about the feeling of being one of us.
"I’ll believe in anything" refers to my susceptibility to be sucked in by these
feelings and ideas. It refers to a willingness to take the bait, to get wrapped
up in the moment. To blindly have faith in and trust the people around you, the
world around you. I think life’s just more fun that way..."

Where: Perth Centre of Photography, 91 Brisbane Street, PERTH (Cnr Beaufort and Brisbane St)

When: 16 Aug - 3 Sept

[Exhibition] BAZGASHT: Return, Perth Centre of Photography, Aug 2 - Aug 13

From the Perth Centre of Photography web site (www.pcp.org.au):

BAZGASHT: Return - A photography exhibition

Opening Wednesday August 2nd 6:30pm - until August the 13th at the Perth Centre of Photography, 91 Brisbane Street, Perth WA 6000

Curated by Shirin Jahan Panah

This stunning exhibition showcases photos from the collection of Iranian photographer, Reza Jahan Panah. 'Bazgasht' focuses on people in remote areas, landscapes and ancient architectural monuments. Come and see a new side to this ancient land, in deep contrast to the contemporary face of Iran as portrayed by the Western media. If you are interested in exploring the ancient cultural face of Iran, please don’t miss this exciting exhibition!

For more information, visit: http://www.pcp.org.au

[Exhibition] Offline Online, Breadbox Gallery, Northbridge: 12-27 August

In "Offline Online", 11 Australian photographers explore rural, urban, social and degraded spaces in their photography.

Breadbox Gallery
233 James Street, Northbridge
12-27 August
Wed - Fri: 12-6pm
Sat: 2-5pm
Sun: 2-5pm

Details: www.breadbox.com.au

[Exhibition] Erwin Olaf: Elegance and perversity - John Curtin Gallery, 21 July - 15 September

'Elegance and Perversity' brings together a selection of works from Dutch photographer, Erwin Olaf. In this exhibition, Olaf entertains and confronts through a series of staged photographs where "the body becomes a site of transgression that throws into question the current codes of morality, freedom and beauty." (Paco Barragan, exhibition curator). Hence, viewers are treated to glamourised portraits of a bleeding Poppaea Sabina, whose husband, the Emperor Nero, kicked her to death while she was pregnant. Similarly, we see Lady Diana Spencer, who died when her Mercedes crashed whilst avoiding paparazzi in Paris, posing with a Mercedes hood ornament embedded in her bleeding arm.



The exhibition is open at the John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University of Western Australia (Kent Street, Bentley)
Monday-Friday: 12-5pm
Sunday 30th July, Sunday 13th August, Sunday 27th August: 1-4pm (parking is free on Sundays)

More information:

• http://www.johncurtingallery.org/exhibitions/


• http://www.erwinolaf.com/

[Exhibition] Liquid Images, Heathcote Museum and Gallery, 14 July - 13 Aug

Liquid Image is a exhibition of water photography by local photographer Christoph Hoppen. The exhibition is at:

Heathcote Museum and Gallery
Point Heathcote in Applecross
(Heathcote Cultural Centre, Duncraig Road, Applecross)

14th July to 13th August.

A keen sailor for more than 15 years, Christoph took these photographs over the last five years on trips around Australia and Thailand. His photographs present visions of water, light and landscape.

For more information, visit: www.liquid-images.com.

[Exhibition] Photographies de France: Murmurs

In Murmurs, 16 Australian photographers reflect on their enduring relationship with France and the French tradition of photograpy. Largely in black and white, this exhibition of photographs reveal intersections between Australian and French identities - all photographers in the exhibition possess an Australian or French connection of some sort.

The exhibition is located in the upstairs gallery of the Fremantle Arts Centre and is on view until July 16 (Sunday). The Arts Centre is open from 10am to 5pm daily.

[Exhibition] Backpacker Essentials - Travel Photography Exhibition

For those of you with the travel bug, or for those who love travel photography, the winners of this year's Backpacker Essentials YHA Photography competition will be exhibited in Perth at the
Perth City YHA, 300 Wellington St, Perth: 6 - 26 November.

More information about the competition, photographs and exhibitions can be found at the Backpacker Essentials website.

[Musings] Re-envisioning landscapes

I've only very recently (in the last three months or thereabouts) begun taking landscape photographs. I've always been more inclined to be a people and events photographer - one who interacts, reacts and snaps in the hopes of recording, with some artistic and journalistic merit, the moment characterised by the person (or persons) and their engagement with the world. Then, influenced by a few photographer friends, I decided to take up landscape photography.

I started taking photographs that look like these:



Long-exposure shots of the coastal landscape at sunset, with the aperture stopped down to f16 or more, and the camera secured to a tripod, ND grad filters used to allow both correct exposure of the foreground and sky. You set up the tripod, frame the scene, expose, then wait for that "magic moment" - with a 2 second delay to account for the timer (with mirror lockup) - before hitting the shutter button.

Wallah.

I loved it. There was a sense of achievement in catching that right moment - that combination of light, setting and movement. And in achieving landsapes that seem so unearthly and which glowed.

So I did it again.

And again.

And again.

And it started feeling rather mechanical for me. Like writing a novel according to a formula. Like writing a Mills and Boon romance novel.

Just as quickly as I gained it, I lost the love for landscape photography.

I told myself that I should take a break from it. To begin re-thinking the way I photograph landscape.

Now, I make landscapes like these:

[Exhibition] StyleAID: Heaven

Models. Once-off fashion pieces designed by some of the top fashion designers in WA. A photographer's dream come true.

Falling out of Heaven ~ by Ivan Shaw

Heaven, a StyleAID project, is a unique exhibition displayed in a range of retailers in Perth which shows off each photographer's interpretation of the theme of 'Heaven'. All time and materials have been donated by the photographers, designers, make up artists and models, with the proceeds of the sale of each print in silent auctions going to the AIDS Council.

Featured in this exhibition is an innovative piece by young Perth photographer, Ivan Shaw, whose "Falling out of Heaven" shows a celestial beauty dramatically posed across a shattered skyscape, an angel falling into a gritty and grimey urban landscape.

Ivan's and the other photographs in this exhibitioncan be viewed at the following venues:

• The Colonnade, Subiaco


• Carillion Arcade, Perth City


• Adam Heath, Claremont


• Varga Girl, Perth City


• Saints Clothing, Subiaco


• Preacher, Mt Lawley


• Stiller, Cottesloe

Bids in the silent auction can be made at individual retailers.

[Event] Michael Coyne: Their Stories are My Stories - Photog seminar, Perth July 6

The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and SanDisk are proud to present Michael Coyne, ‘Their Stories are My Story’, a series of insightful seminars where Coyne shares the stories behind his pictures and will also be exhibiting his moving and powerful work. Coyne has worked as a photographer for 30 years and covered wars, revolutions and international events around the globe. He has also been widely published in Newsweek, Life, Time, the NY Times, and has photographed assignments for National Geographic.



Coyne's seminar will be in Perth on Thursday, July 6th, 7pm at the Karri Room in the Parmelia Hilton. For more details, visit the 2006 AIPP/SanDisk National Speaker's Program page.

Tickets are $50 for non AIPP members, and $30 for student non-members ($30 for AIPP members and $15 for student membets). You can book your ticket/s here.