Author Archive
RE–BRAND: The NEW ‘MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY’ – Formerly the MGA
.
MAPh Composite
.
For more than 30 years the ‘Monash Gallery of Art’ has successfully advocated for the arts and Australian photography. Now the Gallery name will be rebranded as the MAPh – Museum of Australian Photography – abbreviated into MAPh. We were excited to be able to attend the event and witness moment of change in the history of the Gallery.
.
Director Anouska Phizacklea
.
A launch party on to celebrate the transformation took place on Sunday, 19 March 2023. After a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by a Wurundjeri Elder, MAPh Gallery Director Anouska Phizacklea addressed the assembled guests. She spoke of the long history of the MGA and how the name change presented the opportunity for the growth of the gallery and its continuing service to photography in, and of, Australia.
.
MAPh – 100 FACES Exhibition entry
MAPh Developments
.
.
Director Anouska Phizacklea leads a Q+A session
In the afternoon the MAPh was further celebrated with a stellar line-up of Australian artist/photographers including Ray Cook, Hoda Afshar, @Jane Burton, Ross Coulter, Anouska Phizacklea, Van Sowerwine, @Sonia Payes, @Paula Mahoney and David Rosetzky. Director Anouska Phizacklea led a Q+A session where the panellists were invited to speak about their life works, what inspires them and what new projects they’re working on.
..
Congratulations to the Director and team at the new MAPh and we look forward to your new identity and the emergence of a new exciting era in Australian photography exhibiting, collecting and commentary.
.
(some texts edited from the MAPh Releases and SM posts)
.
.
All photos ©2023 Doug Spowart
.
.
.
.
The NGA’s CEREMONY: An Art Educators workshop at Shepparton Art Museum
SAM / NGA Ceremony Teacher Learning Program
.
ABOUT Ceremony + The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial
From the publication Foreword by Nick Mitzevich, Director – National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia is proud to present the fourth iteration of the National Indigenous Art Triennial, titled Ceremony. The exhibition is curated, and this publication edited, by National Gallery Senior Curator-at-large, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Hetti Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples), one of the country’s most celebrated and experienced curators.
Ceremony brings together more than 35 artists from around Australia whose work highlights the primacy of ceremony in their practice and how it connects to community, culture and Country. Featuring newly commissioned works from across the continent, Ceremony represents the diverse practices of First Nations artists in this country, from large-scale installation, performance and video, to ceramics, carving, weaving and photography.
.
Ceremony: Teacher Professional Learning Program – An Art Educators workshop at Shepparton Art Museum
.
WORKSHOP STRATEGY: The intent of the Teacher Professional Learning Program is to develop capacity for educators in engaging with First Nations visual arts practice using Ceremony, the National Gallery of Australia’s National Indigenous Art Triennial (NIAT) traveling exhibition, as a reference point.
.
Anni Jane Linklater, SAM Education Coordinator, opened the event with an Acknowledgement of Country and we were introduced to the NGA teams facilitating the program including members from the curatorial work group, the education representatives and attending artists exhibited in the exhibition.
In the Teacher Professional Learning Program at SAM
With our fellow art educators and other art community representatives the program began with a short lecture session discussing the issues and framework for educational programs and presentations on First Nations art and artists. In this presentation Kelli Cole (NGA First Nations Curator), Aidan Hartshorn (Ceremony Exhibition Curator) and Belinda Briggs (SAM First Nations Curator) discussed the importance of the NIAT to the Australian National Gallery, ‘the significance of commissioning new work, First Nations perspectives and engagement as key National Gallery priority’.
.
Kelli Cole discusses Yarrenyty Arltere Artists & Tangentyere Artists, Blak Pariament House (detail), 2021
.
In the next part of the program we undertook a floor talk with Kelli Cole and Aidan Hartshorn. Also in this session we were introduced to artist Penny Evans (K/Gamilaroi people), who talked about her work in the show – Burn, 2021. Aidan Hartshorn spoke about his personal connection with his language that was referenced in S.J Norman’s (Wiradjuri people), Bone Library, 2012-2021. The floor talk was both informative and inspirational. We were invited to ask questions and add our thoughts to the interpretation of each of the artworks.
.
.
Some of the discussion topics included were:
- Rather than use of the word “Country” in discussing the artist and their art, which was not advised, instead “Place” was suggested as an alternative term. In using the word “Place” the presenter shows they understand and respect the deep and layered meaning embedded in the word “Country” for First Nations’ culture.
- Research the artist; their story, history and approaches to their art before presenting to give an informed discussion.
- Always use the artists’ words where possible, if not, draw upon the curators’ information.
- Bring creative interactive activities; sensorial and conceptual connections and empathy to the experience of the work for the audience/students.
.
Penny Evans, K/Gamilaroi people, discusses her work Burn, 2020-2021
.
After morning tea we worked under the guidance of artist Penny Evans in shaping malleable brown clay into small objects to reference the banksia or other forms of nature. Evans created an inclusive, relaxing, meditative space for the participants in their creative work. While working we discussed issues of contemporary education and the importance of using hands in teaching and learning across a variety of subjects beyond art. We were all in agreement that this is a fundamental mode of education to empower students to communicate and work through the development of ideas and knowledge.
Penny Evans in her clay workshop
.
After a working lunch in SAM’s Café, Leanne Waterhouse discussed that the NGA were in the process of refining a framework with which First Nations art and cultural issues could be presented. She introduced the provisional draft document entitled The Art Ways of Learning Principles which outlines a values-based approach for best practice and engagement in the National Gallery of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts program and broader learning programs. The principles consist of 5 themes or “pillars” that outline concepts including the values and characteristics of the framework as follows (from the lecture slide):
- Encouraging deep listening and thinking
- Centring First Nations artists voices
- Elevating First Nations arts diversity
- Creating memorable experiences
- Promoting living culture(s) of First Nations people
As educators we were encouraged to consider these Principles and their connection with ‘Indigenous ways of Knowing, Being and Doing’ when we are communicating with others about culture and art.
.
Joel Bray, Wiradjuri people, Giraaru Galing Gaanhagirri (the wind will bring rain), 2022 (fragment of video)
.
Finally, under the guidance of Noah Watson, NGA First Nations Learning Facilitator and Leanne Waterhouse, we were asked to form two separate groups and prepare a presentation each focussing on a different artwork. One group was given Joel Bray, (Wiradjuri people), Giraaru Galing Gaanhagirri (the wind will bring rain), 2022: an installation of TV screens in which the audience is engaged with the artist’s performance of a dance where his body becomes transparent merging his movement with images of his country.
.
Discussing Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, Gumatj people, Maralitja, 2021 (constructed image)
.
The other group discussed Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, (Gumatj people), Maralitja, 2021: an installation of 3 large-scale screens that engaged the audience with a video of waves breaking on the beach from a ground level perspective. During the video there were segments of ceremony and meaning that connected to the artist’s life, his totem, Bäru (the crocodile) and his story in Place.
Through our deep immersion in the Ceremony exhibition through this program we were challenged, inspired, and at times deeply moved by the sharing of knowledge/knowing. This workshop has enhanced both our teaching and learning experience in the engagement with, and discussion of the art of First Nations Peoples. We wish to acknowledge the Shepparton Art Museum for hosting the event and exhibition as well as the National Gallery of Australia for their initiative with the National Indigenous Art Triennial and the opportunity for regional artists and educators to connect with such an informative program.
.
Drs Victoria Cooper + Doug Spowart
.
4th NIAT – CEREMONY Online Publication
FOR MORE INFORMATION VIEW THE ONLINE PUBLICATION: “CLICK” HERE
.
.Images of the workshop and gallery installation ©Doug Spowart 2023
All other copyrights reside with the artists whose works were represented in the Ceremony exhibition
.
.
.
BENALLA ART GALLERY – Our visits over 12 months
Benalla Art Gallery view from the lake and the interior of the Ledger Gallery
.
Our move to Benalla was based on many factors including the closeness to Great Victorian landscape, the small country town ‘feel’ where you can usually get a car park in the main street, a Botanic Garden and an art gallery – Benalla had it all.
.
Soon after our arrival we joined the Benalla Art Gallery and attended the range of exhibitions, openings and public talks on offer. As usual I found that the documentist in me meant that I was drawn to create a modest visual record of most events attended. The art gallery team allowed my activity and on many occasions I passed images on to them for their use and to send on to the subject pictured.
Over this last year there was an amazing program of vibrant and stimulating activities that we attended. Some of the events and exhibitions included:
-
Tarragh Cunningham from QAGOMA talking about ‘The Power of Cultural Infrastructure’
-
Zoe Porter with Tegan Nash in conversation about the ‘Surface’ performance
-
Atong Atem talking about her exhibition ‘Banksia’ on show at the gallery
-
Jason Smith, Director Geelong Gallery talking about the Modernist artist, Clarice Beckett
-
OCULI Acts I-VII Photo2022 PHOTO2022 exhibition and photodocumentary panels events
-
Rachel Mounsey PHOTO2022 Portrait project and exhibition
-
Benalla Curator Brenda Wellman and the Gallery’s The Ledger Collection
-
Michael Cook and his exhibition ‘Invasion’
-
Amrit Gill, Artistic Director, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
-
David Rosetzky with Fiona Trigg (ACMI Senior Curator)
-
Adrienne Doig and her exhibition ‘It’s all about me!’
.
Eric Nash BAG Director – by Rachel Mounsey as part of her PHOTO2022 exhibition ‘Space Between Strangers’
.
We are full of appreciation to the Benalla Art Gallery, Director Eric Nash and staff for the professionalism, friendliness and creative support of Benalla’s vibrant art community.
.
NOT PART OF THE PROGRAM – Flood water surrounding the Gallery in October 2022
Benalla Art Gallery just after the flood peak 15 October
.
WHAT FOLLOWS IS A PHOTOMONTAGE OF SELECTED EVENTS –
The captions provide the detail
.
![David Rosetzky in the ACMI exhibition "Between [the] Details"](https://wotwedid.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/david-rosetzsky-in-the-acmi-show-between-the-details-1.jpg?w=229&h=172 "David Rosetzky in the ACMI exhibition \"Between [the] Details\"")
.
.
.
We now look forward to the
BENALLA ART GALLERY’s
2023 program …
.
.
.
.
- Images and texts ©Cooper+Spowart 2022
- Many thanks to Rachel Mounsey for her photograph of Benalla Gallery Director Eric Nash
.
.
.
HOME: Our exhibition at GALLERY ON OVENS
.
WE NOW LIVE IN BENALLA in north-eastern Victoria, and to celebrate we held an exhibition at GALLERY on OVENS in May 2022.
.
A STATEMENT ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Great writers, artists and philosophers have considered the physical, psychological, emotional and political place we call HOME. We reflect and are inspired by their work as we consider our personal perceptions of home personal within the broader human condition.
We have been artists and collaborators for over three decades. Our HOME has been: a house in a suburb or town, our car, a friends place, an artists in residence, a studio, a library, a campsite, a motel room. Whether stable or temporary the places we have inhabited – their architecture, history, social condition or collected objects have evoked our creative and questioning thoughts about perceptions of existence.
For us all these places we call HOME are spaces where we can contemplate, re-invent, conceive, originate, initiate new ideas for the future. We use the broad palette of our arts practice including – Camera obscuras, Cyanotype printing, Pinhole photography, Projections, Light painting and Nocturne light and the resolved artworks are presented as wall-images, artists books and photobooks.
.
COOPER+SPOWART – Home exhibition montage
.
.
In this post we report on the exhibition and the works it contained relating to the concept of HOME …
.
PREPARATION
Gallery on Ovens installation planning
.
Selecting work and preparing work
.
THE INSTALL
.
THE EXHIBITION
Table view of artists’ books
Gallery on Ovens window
Exhibition duo
Cyanotype wall
Looking at books with Maggie
.
THE DE MOUNT
The de Install
.
DOWNLOAD A “HOME” CATALOGUE – “CLICK” HERE
Catalogue Book Cover
.
.
.
.
Images and texts ©Cooper+Spowart 2022
.
.
.
ARTISTS BOOK BRISBANE: Print Culture Fiesta – Our Presence
.
ABBE panorama PHOTO Helen Cole
The Artists Book Brisbane Event, known as ABBE held their 4th event, a Print Culture Fiesta, on November 26 at the Queensland College of Art’s Web Centre. We were there not so much in our physical form, but rather as a table presenting our latest artists book and photobook publications.
ABBE events were initiated at the Griffith Centre for Creative Arts Research in 2015. This year’s ABBE was expanded to embrace all aspects of print culture. Via a selection process around 30 small publishers, artists and designers attended the event to share their creative works to an audience of peers, collectors and those who just love to see and handle art in the print form.
Helen Cole in her library
While we were unable to attend, well-known artists book identity Helen Cole presented our books at the fair. Fellow artists book maker David Symons also was successful in his application for a table and shared the exhibition space next to us.
Other participants included: Alethea Richter, Ana Estrada, Annique Goldenberg, Bad Teeth Comics, Bronwyn Rees, cobalt editions, Cooper+Spowart, David Symons, Ebony Willmott, Geoff Burns, Glenda Chaplyn, Grey Hand Press, Helen Sanderson, IMPRESS, Ivy Minniecon, Jennifer Long, Kanako Enokid, Louis Lim, Maikki Toivanen, Mat Adams Comics, Matt Newkirk, Michael Phillips, Noshyacking Press, Peter Breen, Rachel Dun, Samantha-Jane Windred, silverwattle bookfoundry, Sue Poggioli, Swing Moon and the NightLadder collective.
Contacts and friends who participated in, or attended ABBE commented that it was a great opportunity to see all the artists works, meet up with friends and network with peers. We were also thrilled to be able to show our work as most of these books were only recently made this year.
abbe2022 Logo
SOME IMAGES OF THE EVENT courtesy of Helen Cole and David Symons
.
.
OUR WORKS PRESENTED @ ABBE
Our presentation consisted mainly of 5 recently resolved and made by us. The main books are two from a continuing series relating to concepts surrounding ‘desire paths’ and follow on from an artists book made by Victoria for the Melbourne Art Book Fair in 2019. To see more information about this book CLICK HERE
The two new books Desire Paths: Navigating the path and Desire Paths: Stepping off the concrete take on an autobiographical response to our lives over recent years.
To see more information about Desire Paths: Navigating the path CLICK HERE
To see more information about Desire Paths: Stepping off the concrete CLICK HERE
As a result of relocation to Benalla in north east Victoria last year we have been inspired by our new location to create two books – one, a field report by Victoria, dealing with the natural environment and the other by Doug about walking and the suburban architectural space.
To see more information about Victoria’s Visual Field Notes book CLICK HERE
To see more information about Doug’s Walking Urban Ground book CLICK HERE
The 5th book is another in the continuing Artist Survey series for the Centre for Regional Arts Practice. This latest book relates to concerns and preparations for the regional artist to sell their home. At ABBE a selection of the final copies of the earlier 22 editions of these C.R.A.P. books. To see more information about this book CLICK HERE
COOPER+SPOWART ABBE Catalogue cover
DOWNLOAD OUR ABBE CATALOGUE HERE
We would like to acknowledge and thank Helen Cole and David Symons for their support in presenting our work at ABBE and also to the QCA team that made this opportunity happen …
Looking forward to the next ABBE … We’ll be there …
.
ABBE 2022 PARTICIPANTS …
ABBE-Participants list
.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ABBE …
https://www.instagram.com/abbe_artistsbooks/
https://linktr.ee/abbe_artistsbooks
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
WORLD CYANOTYPE DAY 2022: ANZ – Online Exhibition
.
EACH YEAR FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS WE HAVE COORDINATED AN EXHIBITION OF ARTWORKS BY AUSTRALIAN CYANOTYPE PRINTMAKERS TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS LINKED TO WORLD CYANOTYPE DAY.
Unlike most years where the exhibition is in a physical gallery this year the exhibition is an online catalogue. Another aspect of World Cyanotype Day (WCD) events is the connection that works made should respond to a theme which this year was – ENLIGHTEN. This year WCD falls on Saturday September 24th.
Our preparations for the exhibition began back in May with a call for expressions of interest from members of the Facebook Group The Cyanotype in Australia and New Zealand – A group we founded in 2019 to facilitate the first WCD exhibition at the Monash Gallery of Art.
Respondents were presented with the concept of “presenting your cyanotype in a way that shows something about you – It could be positioned in your studio, home setting, in the garden or somewhere in your locality”.
Twenty-five cyanotype makers sent in their submissions. These artworks were collated and prepared for the design stage of the project by us. Here are their cyanotypes and a link to download the catalogue. ALSO at the end of the post is the story and links to the previous year”s catalogues.
.
Here the submissions:
“CLICK” on the thumbnail to enlarge the image and see the author’s name and title
THE ONLINE CATALOGUE IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD –
Here is the file: CYANOTYPE CATALOGUE 2022v3
Here is the backstory the 5 Cyanotype in Australia and New Zealand WORLD CYANOTYPE DAY exhibitions & catalogues
Download: WCD_CinA-Catalogue-2018
Event 1 – 2018
In September 2018 The Cyanotype in Australia Facebook group was founded and held its first collective exhibition and illustrated catalogue as part as the global event World Cyanotype Day (WCD). Entitled In Anna’s Garden the exhibition referenced Anna Atkins’ pioneering role in the development of the cyanotype.
The exhibition was held in the Atrium Space at Monash Gallery of Art, Wheeler’s Hill, Melbourne and was opened by Gael E Phillips. Gallery staff members Stephanie Richter and Gillian Jones joined with Victoria Cooper and Doug Spowart to prepare and hang the diverse representation of Australian contemporary cyanotype work. The Gallery Director Anouska Phizacklea attended the event along with many of the exhibitors.
Download: WCD_CinA-catalogue-2019
Event 2 – 2019
A world-wide call out from the A. Smith Gallery in Texas, USA, invited artists to participate in an exhibition by sending a cyanotype made on a 30cm square of fabric – referred to as ‘Flags’. The work was a personal response to the WCD theme for that year, Land / Sea / Sky.
The Cyanotype in Australia (CinA) co-ordinators decided to organize a collaborative show of cyanotype flags connecting with the WCD. Coordinated at the Maud Street Photo Gallery in Brisbane, the exhibition was called Under the Southern Sun. Again, the coordinators were supported by Gail Neumann, David Symons and Keiko Goto in the unpacking and hanging the flags in the gallery. However this was only the first part of a long and exciting journey for these cyanotype prints.
After the show came down, the working party packed up the show and the Flags were sent off to Texas where they were shown with all the other works from across the world at the A. Smith Gallery. Subsequently the exhibition was also shown at PhotoNOLA in New Orleans.
Download: ____WCD 2020 CATALOGUE-FINALv3
Event 3 – 2020
Due to the pandemic 2020 was a difficult year to show work in a physical gallery space so the CinA co-ordinators created an online presence and an illustrated catalogue referencing the WCD theme of Interconnected. After a call out to all members of our Facebook group, artists from across Australia and around the world responded by contributing to the collection of a creative work that showcased the diverse practice of the cyanotype in Australia and elsewhere.
Download: WCD 2021 Exhibition-SCREEN_Res-Sept27
Event 4 – 2021
Despite the challenges of Covid, 2021 saw the return of a physical exhibition. Gail Neumann curated the show at KEPK Gallery in Brisbane, supported by other members of the CinA team. The WCD theme this year was REJUVENATION. Local art identity and cyanotyper LeAnne Vincent opened the exhibition and an illustrated catalogue was made available to participants.
Event 5 – 2022
For many surviving Covid, floods and fire and rebuilding their arts practice has been challenging over the last 2-3 years, so the return to an online format seemed a good option. Also at this time, the organisers felt that it was important to recognize our friends and colleagues from across “the ditch” in New Zealand, so our group name was changed to The Cyanotype in Australia and New Zealand.
The call for expressions of interest was made in May and those who responded were asked to submit work on the WCD theme – ENLIGHTEN. They were also requested to consider making an in-situ representation of their cyanotype image in their studio space or where they live, to add a personal and physical dimension to the virtual online space. The 2022 catalogue includes the artists who responded to the in-situ request, and also those who only sent through a photograph of their cyanotype.
Once again, the catalogue presents a survey of the practice of cyanotype within our region. We wish to thank the contributors for making work available for this catalogue as well as providing commentaries about their work.
ENJOY and be ENLIGHTENED about the work by the members of the Cyanotype in Australia and New Zealand.
.
.
ABOUT THE CYANOTYPE IN AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND
The Cyanotype in Australia + New Zealand Facebook group has actively supported a vibrant community of practice of not only local, but also international cyanotypers for 5 yearsFF.
The Facebook page is a closed group though we welcome ‘Requests to join’ from cyanotype practitioners of this region.
The Cyanotype in Australia+New Zealand Team are Doug Spowart, Gail Neumann, David Symons and Victoria Cooper.
.
.B
.
.
.MGA POSTCARDS EXHIBITION – Our images
.
WE RECENTLY RESPONDED TO A ‘CALL OUT’ FROM THE MONASH GALLERY OF ART to make and send in a POSTCARD representing ‘Our back yard’.
It is an interesting Mail Art Project so we selected images and sent them in. Recently we are in Melbourne and managed to go out to MCA to see their exhibitions and the post card show in the Atrium Gallery.
.
If you are interested in participating – The details and link are at the end of this post.
VICTORIA’s CARD: Image from the book VISUAL FIELD NOTES
Victoria Cooper MGA POSTCARD
.
ABOUT VICKY’S POST CARD IMAGE: DAY DREAMING
We arrived in Benalla during one of the long Covid 19 lockdowns of Victoria. We found ourselves under a state wide travel restriction of only 5kms from our home. So walking became my way of exploring my new locality.
On these walks, and later on longer journeys,
I was captivated by the remnants of natural environment at the edge of the suburban spaces, roadsides and bushland. Here in the North East the trees tower like epic monuments to a pre-colonial history …
DOUG’s CARD:
An image from the book WALKING URBAN GROUND
Doug Spowart’s MGA POSTCARD SHOW
.
ABOUT DOUG’S POST CARD IMAGE:
This photo is about walking in the place where I live. While my walks with Vicky are for exercise, they are also an exploration of the streets, homes and spaces of my suburb.
During these walks I witness the seasons, varied architectural forms, garden features and the idiosyncratic things that homeowners create in their suburban environments.
In this work, from the book “Walking Urban Ground”, I explore through visual play, the creation of a joyful representation of the place where I live.
year I wandered as a free-ranging spirit on a bright sunny day through my local botanic garden. Spontaneously I responded to the subjects that emerged into my line of sight…
.
.
A POSTCARD FROM GLEN O’MALLEY is also in the show…
.
.
HERE’S THE SUBMISSION DETAILS
Postcards from our big backyard
“CLICK” URL HERE
3 August 2022 to 2 October 2022
MGA Atrium Gallery
Tuesday – Sunday
Postcards from our big backyard | Submissions now open
Viva Gibb took this photograph of the landscape she grew up on during a trip back to the area in the 1980s. The work is on display as part of MGA’s exhibition Return to nature, which journeys through the Australian landscape in photographs from the 1870s to today.
To coincide with this exhibition, we want you to send us a postcard of your big backyard!
Wherever you are in Australia, we want to see your landscape. So take a photograph of your corner of this great continent, print it at postcard size, write your name on the back, along with the title, date and a short note if you wish, then affix a stamp and send it by mail addressed to:
Monash Gallery of Art
860 Ferntree Gully Road
WHEELERS HILL
VIC 3150
We will then display your postcard in a growing exhibition in MGA’s Atrium gallery from 3 August to 2 October.
.
.
.EULOGY: GRAHAM BURSTOW – A personal view
.
Graham Burstow – Self Portrait – Viewer & the Viewed show at QCP 2006
Recently I have been working through my extensive archive, and Graham Burstow‘s name kept surfacing. I found a piece of correspondence from nearly 20 years ago when I was asked by the Australian Honours Secretariat to support a nomination for Graham for an Australia Day Honour. At the time I was the chair of the AIPP Education Sub-committee and had previously provided letters of support for photography related nominations.
.
Even though 20 years has elapsed since being written, the words still hold true. We should recognise that Graham continued and expanded his connection with the great love of his life – photography.
.
I am honoured to be able to present this commentary on our friend – Graham Burstow OAM
.
.
LETTER DATED: August 3, 2003
Australian Honours Secretariat,
Government House,
Canberra ACT 2600
Subject: Graham Burstow
Dear Secretariat,
I have known Graham Burstow since the late 1960’s. He has been a significant inspiration due to his dedication to the art of image-making, but also his support of many structures that shape photography in this country. While I make mention of this man’s influence on my life, his works and work have touched and inspired thousands of Australian and international photographers for nearly 50 years.
Graham Burstow’s main sphere of interest is in the camera club movement. He has held numerous positions within the Australian Photographic Society including national President, Chairman of the Print Division, keynote speaker and mentor. Since 1959 he has held positions within the Toowoomba Photographic Society (one of the oldest such groups in Australia). Burstow has been Chairman of no fewer than 6 national and international exhibitions of salon photography.
In his hometown of Toowoomba he has each year coordinated several national art photography awards including the McGregor Prize for Photography at the University of Southern Queensland, and the Heritage Photographic Award at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery since 1977. In my opinion Graham Burstow has a hand in, and a hand to offer, for anything photographic from presenting lectures or judging awards for students at the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE where I work, or assisting community groups including senior citizens groups and Lifeline.
Burstow’s work appears regularly in magazines and publications including his self-published book “Touch Me”. In 1984 I curated a substantial survey of his work at Imagery Gallery in Brisbane. His work has been shown in salon exhibitions world-wide and in major institutions like the Queensland Art Gallery.
Graham Burstow has received significant honours for his photographic work and his service to photography including the following: Associateship and EFIAP(service) of the International Federation of Photographic Art, Associateship of the Royal Photographic Society, Associateship of the Photographic Society of America and a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the Australian Photographic Society.
In a review of his book “Touch Me” I commented that:
Burstow’s work is about sharing his vision with the world. It represents a lifetime of photographic exploration of the art. Burstow’s work is not just about camera club pictorialism but also aspects of the human condition and the humour of everyday situations. This book is not intended as a catalogue for purchase, it is rather a communique, the photographer reaching out with the world in his photographs inviting the viewer to touch the experience portrayed.
Diversity of style and subject is apparent in Burstow’s journey in photography. It seems as if he had walked alongside Max Dupain at the beach, been with Wolfgang Sievers at the building site, shared an impromptu moment with Henri Cartier-Bresson, a portrait session with Arnold Newman, some personal introspective moments with Nan Goldin, and an adventure with Frank Hurley.
Australian photography would be greatly diminished if it were not for the contribution of this generous and modest man – I have great pleasure in supporting his nomination for the Order of Australia.
Yours faithfully,
Doug Spowart M.Photog, FAIPP, Hon.FAIPP Chair of the AIPP Education Sub-committee
A SELECTED COLLAGE OF IMAGES FROM GRAHAM’S LIFE
Click on the image to enlarge the view and see the full caption
SOME WORDS FROM GRAHAM …
ACL presentation media at Cobb & Co Museum Toowoomba 2021 PHOTO Doug Spowart
.
For an insight into how he felt about his life in photography, an event in 2021 at the Cobb & Co Museum recorded by the Chronicle Newspaper (paywall) might provide an answer. Graham was being awarded a Life Membership of the Australian Cultural Library (ACL) by the director Steve Towson. In a video interview he was to comment that he had been photographing for 73 years. He also added:
When you look at the things you can do to keep your mind occupied and increase the length of your life, photography is nearly always near the top of the list.
It keeps your mind busy and even when you are not photographing you are probably thinking about something you want to photograph.
I think it’s worked in my case … I enjoy it, met a lot of wonderful people, it’s been great to get to go to a lot of interesting places… *
.
ONE FINAL STORY FROM GRAHAM …
In my collection I have a Graham Burstow photograph entitled No 2 The Day Ahead. For me, at this time it is a poignant image …
.
.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GRAHAM BURSTOW …
http://www.grahamburstow.com.au/
*Tribute for Toowoomba photographer icon Graham Burstow Stephen Burstow John Elliott | The Chronicle (Paywall story)
Thanks to Bev Lacey for the ACL quote and photograph and Zigi for the gift of the Noosa 10×8 photograph
.
.
.
.
2022 WORLDWIDE PINHOLE DAY – Our images
.
ON THE LAST SUNDAY IN APRIL pinhole photographers across the world gather together as individuals or groups to celebrate pinhole photography in all its forms.
This year for the first time in many years we find ourselves in a place that we call home. On this warm sunny April morning we connected with fellow Benalla artist, Maggie Hollins, and found joy in pinhole play on Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day.
We met in the Benalla Botanic Gardens renown for its rose garden, cricket field, the lake and the Benalla Art Gallery. The Gardens and surrounds are a popular place for locals to picnic, exercise, canoe or just hang out.
Benalla Pinholers – Maggie with Vicky+Doug
This is the 16th year we have supported the WPPD project!
SEE LINKS to our other submissions at the end of this Post.
.
WHAT IS WORLDWIDE PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY ALL ABOUT?
From the Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day website introduction:
All the photographs in this extraordinary collection share two common characteristics: (1) they are lensless photographs (2) they were all made on April 24, 2022.
They also share an additional and less formal characteristic: the sincere enthusiasm of their creators who, by participating in this collective event, shared individual visions and techniques. Hence the amazing diversity of subjects, cameras, techniques and photographic materials combined in this exhibit!
The process is that photographs are made on April 24 > they are processed / optimised by the photographer > uploaded and captioned on the WPPD website. The 2022 Gallery of images can be searched to see what photographers from around the world did on that day…
.
VICTORIA’s PINHOLE IMAGE: DAY DREAMING
.
.
ABOUT VICKY’S PINHOLE IMAGE: DAY DREAMING
.
A beautiful Autumn day beside the Benalla Art Gallery and lake.
OTHER IMAGES BY VICKY:
VICKY’s DIGI-PINHOLE CAMERA
Vicky’s Pinhole Olympus Pen
Camera Olympus Pen: 1/90 @2500 ISO the pinhole is made with a camera body cap and a handmade pinhole in pie tin foil.
.
DOUG’s PINHOLE IMAGE: WALKING THE DOGS
ABOUT DOUG’S PINHOLE IMAGE:
.
This year I wandered as a free-ranging spirit on a bright sunny day through my local botanic garden. Spontaneously I responded to the subjects that emerged into my line of sight…
.
SOME OF DOUG’s OTHER IMAGES
.
DOUG’s DIGI-PINHOLE CAMERA
.
My pinhole was a readymade found in our pinhole workshop toolbox – capture device a digital Canon 6D operated around ISO 6000 with a S/S of 60th part of a second.
Visit the WWPD Site for details of other submissions: http://pinholeday.org/
.
VIEW 16 YEARS OF PAST WPPD iMAGES:
2021 Doug+Vicky https://wordpress.com/post/wotwedid.com/12227
2020 Doug+Vicky https://wotwedid.com/2020/05/13/2020-worldwide-pinhole-day-26-april-our-images/
2019 Doug+Vicky https://wotwedid.com/2019/04/29/2019-worldwide-pinhole-day-28-april-our-images/
2018 Doug+Vicky https://wotwedid.com/2018/04/29/2018-worldwide-pinhole-day-29-april-our-images/
2016 Doug: http://www.pinholeday.org/index.php?id=1235
2016 Vicky: http://www.pinholeday.org/index.php?id=1540
2015 https://wotwedid.com/2015/05/04/april-26-worldwide-pinhole-day-our-contributions-for-2015/
2014 Vicky’s http://pinholeday.org/gallery/2014/index.php?id=1810&City=Toowoomba
2014 Doug’s http://pinholeday.org/gallery/2014/index.php?id=1811&City=Toowoomba
2013 https://wotwedid.com/2013/04/29/world-pinhole-photography-day-our-contribution/
2012 http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2012/index.php?id=1937&searchStr=spowart
2011 http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2011/index.php?id=924
HERE IS THE LINK to the 2011 pinhole video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk4vnbzTqOU
2010 http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2010/index.php?id=2464&Country=Australia&searchStr=spowart
2006 http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2006/index.php?id=1636&Country=Australia&searchStr=cooper
2004 Vicky http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2004/index.php?id=1553&Country=Australia&searchStr=cooper
2004 Doug http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2004/index.php?id=1552&Country=Australia&searchStr=spowart
2003 http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2003/index.php?id=615&Country=Australia&searchStr=spowart
2002 http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2002/index.php?id=826&Country=Australia&searchStr=spowart
.
.
.A MOVING EXPERIENCE …
For over seven years we have been on the road.
We’ve travelled from north Queensland to Southern Tasmania and west to Adelaide. We’ve met amazing people and communities; presented photobook and cyanotype workshops, coordinated exhibitions, events and meetings. We’ve been welcomed into people’s homes and had the opportunity to stay for longer periods of time in certain places by doing ‘house-sits’ and being ‘doggie-minders’.
Always on our travels we’ve been on the lookout for a place to live. Somewhere close to landscape, central to vibrant localities and cities and of course friends. Affordability of real estate always was a concern and over the years the number of times we were told “you should have been here last year” left us needing to keep looking.
That search is ow over and we’ve found the place that we will make into our home – Here is the story of our recent move from Toowoomba to Benalla in August at the height of the Pandemic …
wotwedid 