Jin Jiangbo: 'Mass production workshop No.1 of a foreign capital television manufacturer, 2008' from 'China in Four Seasons' at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, July 2009
The acclaimed Chinese artist, Jin Jiangbo, will attend the opening of his exhibition of photographs, alongside the official opening of ‘PHOTO hiSTORIES: Mark Adams, Bruce Connew and John Miller’, at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery on Saturday 4 July 2009. Jin’s exhibition marks the beginning of the Govett-Brewster’s major series, ‘China in Four Seasons’.
Eschewing the national survey format, Govett-Brewster Director, Rhana Devenport, favoured organising a year long project comprising four exhibitions and residencies, to present to New Zealand audiences, ‘the extraordinary power, singularity and insight of certain artists working in China today’.
‘Against a backdrop of worldwide economic malaise, Jin Jiangbo presents a series of photographic works begun in 2007. Using series titles such as Great Economic Retreat, Chinese Market Scene and Shanghai, Shanghai, his arresting panoramas offer an immediate response to the complex fabric within the unique socialist economic landscape of China as it negotiates within wider frames of globalisation and integration.
‘As the Gallery’s 2009 International Artist in Residence, Jin Jiangbo will also explore related concerns by examining disused factories and sites within the region of Taranaki, itself a unique story of radical economic growth and change over the past two decades.’
Rhana Devenport says 2009 is a potent moment to examine contemporary arts practice in China after twenty years of tremendous social, political, economic and cultural upheaval since 1989.
‘China in Four Seasons: Jin Jiangbo’, runs from 4 July – 6 September 2009.
PHOTO hiSTORIES. Mark Adams, Bruce Connew, and John Miller at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, 13 June to 30 August 2009
July 1st, 2009
Curated by Mercedes Vicente, ‘PHOTO hiSTORIES’ presents work by Mark Adams, Bruce Connew, and John Miller in the context of changes in social documentary photography by three leading New Zealand practitioners. The exhibition will continue at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, until 30 August 2009.
‘These artists belong to the same generation and saw their photographic careers flourished during the 1970s, a time of great political awareness in New Zealand. They all engaged to some extent with photojournalist practices before their works entered the very different paths exhibited here.’ Exhibition wall label.
John B. Turner: Bruce Connew's 'I Must Behave', exhibited at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, 27 June 2009
‘In social documentary photography the prevalence of truth has pushed aside aesthetics. Bruce Connew, in a desire to release documentary photography from such restrictions, offers a ’sideways glance’ at behaviour and control in his new project I Must Behave 2009. Often taken without looking through the viewfinder and purposely effacing the geographical and social contexts of his subjects, Connew’s images challenge the conventions of social documentary.’ - Exhibition wall label.
John B. Turner: Bruce Connew's 'I Must Behave' in the 'PHOTO hiSTORIES' at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, 27 June 2009
‘Renowned for his protest photography for over four decades, John Miller (Ngaitewake-ki-uta, Uritaniwha, Ngati Rehia hapu of Ngapuhi) has turned his camera to anti-war, civil rights, anti-apartheid, anti-nuclear and Maori political struggles as a self described sympathetic observer’ of these manifestations of civilian dissent.’ - Exhibition wall label.
John B. Turner: Detail of some of John Miller's photographs tracing four decades of activism in recent Maori political history
John B. Turner: Photographs of Maori protest by John Miller, Photo HiStories, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, 27 June 2009
‘Mark Adams has adhered to a ‘camera based purism’ and a conventional realism to investigate aspects of New Zealand and Pacific post-colonial history as a form of critique. Adams likes the notion of ‘art being that of a witness.’ His carefully composed photographs, of great formal elegance, are arresting as they encompass the paradoxes and complexities of the cross-cultural relationships of the histories they record.’ - Exhibition wall label.
John B. Turner: Mark Adams' 'Rauru', Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, 27 June 2009
John B. Turner: Mark Adams's 'Rauru' at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, 27 June 2009
“Does A Picture Say a Thousand Words?” Auckland Festival of Photography panel discussion, 21 June 2009
June 30th, 2009
Sophie Leuschke: (From left:) Ron Brownson, Jane Ussher, Stephen Braunias, Emily Perkins, Patrick Reynolds and Nicola Legat, discussion panel for “Does a Picture Say a Thousand Words?” at the Auckland Art Gallery's Art Lounge, 1pm Sunday 21st June 2009
As part of their Talking Culture series Auckland Art Gallery held a panel discussion “Does a Picture Say a Thousand Words?” at their art lounge from 1-2pm on Sunday 21 June 2009. Where the panel of creative’s including writers Stephen Braunias and Emily Perkins, curator Ron Brownson, photographers Patrick Reynolds and Jane Ussher and publisher Nicola Legat responded to this overused phrase, each drawing on their different experiences and view points to create an interesting discussion. With lots of humour and collegial banter it was a relaxed inclusive discussion where the personality of the speakers shone through keeping the audience hooked until the last word. It was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon and end this years Auckland Festival of Photography.
Key points made by the panellists and commentators included:
Photography is a completely different medium with its own language, so there isn’t any point trying to make it into something else, such as writing.
Photography is about seducing, not about illustrating.
With photography you see a lot of different things at the same time in one image.
With reading you can only see one thing at a time second by second and the image is created as you read layer by layer.
Photography doesn’t explain anything. It is about solving a photographic problem.
One has to learn to rely on courageous photographers (for significant photographs).
Art is not about inspiration, but should be about perspiration.
Photographs are happy accidents.
When photographs are very bad they become good.
Sometimes a photograph is worth a 1000 expletives.
Are 1000 words the same as an image?
Photographs are memories, and questions.
—Sophie Leuschke
The exhibition of secondary school students’ photography, ‘Replenish the Stream’, which will be on an extended opening through July 2009, is available for touring. The exhibition was put together by year 13 students, Megan Holley, Zara Santamaria, Samah Seger, Robyn Oliver and Christine Finlay, from St Dominics College, Henderson, under the guidance of photograper Lynn Houghton. “The students,” he said, have really created images that tell the story [of Waitakere's Twin Streams Project] from within. The photos show a very intimate picture of streams, planting days, clean-up and other project events.”
The exhibition consists of two parts: a set of conventionally-framed expressive works which tend to be lyrical representations of the streams, and a set of images set in two-sided vertical A4 stands that can be viewed from either side, documenting the people and events associated with this green initiative to clean up Waitakere’s streams. A handsome two sided A1 poster outlined the nature of this project. Schools, libraries, or other interested groups can contact Lynn Houghton regarding the availability of this invaluable collection, which both inspires and informs. The quality of the photographs is exceptional. Lynn can be contacted at houghton.lynn@gmail.com.
John B. Turner: 'Replenish the Stream" exhibition at Waitakere Central Library, Henderson, 21 June 2009
John B. Turner: 'Replenish the Stream' exhibition at Waitakere Central Library, Henderson, 21 June 2009
John B. Turner: detail of work from 'Replenish the Stream', Waitakere Central Libary, Henderson, 21 June 2009
John B. Turner: Detail of work from 'Replenish the Stream,' Waitakere Central Library, 21 June 2009
John B. Turner: 'Replenish the Streams' at Waitakere Central Library, Henderson, 21 June 2009
Gotthard Schuh" 'Boy playing, Java, 1938
The Swiss Foundation of Photography honours a prominent photographer of the 20th century.
Swiss photographer Gotthard Schuh (1897-1969) influenced modern photojournalism by developing a personal style that removed the distinction between worlds, poetry and reality. A comprehensive retrospective exhibition of his works can be seen until October 11, 2009, in Winterthur. (All photos courtesy of the Swiss Foundation of Photography) Link for portfolio: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/picture_gallery/Gotthard_Schuh.html?siteSect=15075&sid=10758595
Auckland Photo Day Competition Winners Announced
June 19th, 2009
Malcolm McNeil: 'Te Henga', 2009 Auckland Photo Day first prize winner.
The three winners and current top 30 photographs submitted to the 2009 Olympus Auckland Photo Day competion have been announced by the Auckland Festival of Photography. The judges this year were Ron Brownson, Senior Curator, Auckland Art Gallery, Kellie Blizard, Chief Photographer of ‘The Aucklander’ and Chris Traill, MNZIPP.
The first prize went to ‘Te Henga’ by by Malcolm McNeill, about which the Judge’s commented; “This is a cleverly composed and happy winter moment of fun obviously taken during a family’s beach trip. The son’s portrait is both a natural and positive image filled with genuine affection. Sometimes what seems the simplest image is the hardest to achieve”.
McNeil won an Olympus SLR E-520 with twin lens, a Fullers ferry Family trip to Waiheke and a sheet of personalised stamps from NZ Post.
The 2nd prize went to Steve Lawton for his portrait ‘Wave Goodbye to Daddy’, and the 3rd prize went to Breen Porter for his “urban landscape” titled ‘Train Waiting’. The top 30 images can be compared at www.photographyfestival.org.nz/photo-day/index.cfm
McNeil, as confirmed by his poignant other image of his son included in the top 30 selection, was a deserving winner. But as is usual for these “perfect picture” camera club-like competitions they tend to be overwhelmed by the sponsor’s vision, rather than demonstrate the individual concerns of the photographers. The prizes, however, and especially the opportunity to have one’s work presented as postage stamps, make up for the lack of more useful support for budding photographers.
Not surprising, this kind of picture contest consiousness is also a favourite of the NZ Institute of Professional Photographers, whose Epson-sponsored display, of what the NZIPP President boldly purported to be “cutting edge” (art) photography, at its opening at the Vero Centre on Shortland Street, recently. There were some fine photographers included, but like all of these competitions, they are self-serving public relations events that do little to honour significant photography by individuals with something worth saying. With a bit of luck, some of these camera users might create an equivalent body of work to that of the late West Auckland amateur photographer, Bob Raw, whose exquisite photographs of his family from several decades ago are now showing at the Corban Estate Arts Centre until 21 June, along with Brian Marsom’s ‘Exploring the Great North Road’. —John B. Turner
Malcolm McNeil: 'Devonport', among top 30 from Auckland Photo Day competition, Auckland Festival of Photography, June 2009
Steve Lawton: 'Wave goodbye to Daddy', 2nd prize winner in Auckland Photo Day competition, Auckland Festival of Photography, June 2009
Breen Porter: 'Train Waiting', 3rd prize winner, Auckland Photo Day competition, Auckland Festival of Photography, June 2009
John B. Turner: Part of the NZIPP's display of "cutting edge" photography on the Vero Centre foyer, Shortland Street, Auckland CBD, 3 June 2009
Isobel Crombie’s lecture on Australian Photography at the Art Lounge, Lorne Street, Auckland CBD, on 14 June
June 19th, 2009
John B. Turner: Dr Isobel Crombie, Senior Curator of Photography, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, discussed a photograph by Bill Henson at the Auckland Art Gallery's Art Lounge, Lorne Street, Auckland CBD, 14 June 2009
John B. Turner: Isobel Crombie, Senior Curator of Photography, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, discussed a photograph by Julie Rrap at the Art Lounge, Lorne Street, Auckland CBD, on 14 June 2009
John B. Turner: Dr Isobel Crombie delivering her lecture on trends in contemporary Australian photography, at the Art Lounge, Auckland CBD, 14 June 2009
Edith Amituanai and Allan McDonald at Anna Miles Gallery, Auckland CBD, until 4 July
June 19th, 2009
John B. Turner: Isabella Sullivan, Exhibition Coordinator for the Auckland Festival of Photography, studying one of Edith Amituanai's photographs at Anna Miles Gallery, Auckland CBD, 3 June 2009
John B. Turner: Allan McDonald, Marcus Williams (and son), with Edith Amituanai's work in background, Anna Miles Gallery, 47 Hight Street, Auckland CBD, 3 June 2009
John B. Turner: Viewers scrutinise an Allan McDonald photograph at Anna Miles Gallery, Auckland CBD, at the opening on 3 June 2009
Stephanie O'Connor: 'The Fall', 2009
On Tuesday night, as part of the Auckland Photography Festival, Stephanie O’Connor’s exhibition, ‘Audition’, opened at the Satellite Gallery, where she displayed 11 fantasy portraits, offering a tantalising glimpse into another world. Singularly strong, her photographs in series have the power to draw one into her magical, strange world.
Audition continues until 27th June at Satellite Gallery. (Corner of St Benedict’s and Newton Road, Auckland CBD. Ph. (09) 307 416. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm, and Saturdays 10-3. http://www.satellitegallery.co.nz. -Recommended.
John B. Turner: Stephanie O'Connor's 'Audition' at Satellite Gallery, 16 June 2009
John B. Turner: Steph O'Connor at the opening of her show, 'Audition', Satellite Gallery, Auckland, 16 June 2009Stephanie O'Connor: The Monarch, 2009
Stephanie O'Connor: The Monarch, 2009
New Comments on ‘Photography Sell-Out..’
June 17th, 2009
An interesting conversation is emerging on the post about Photography Sell Out which was held at the Gus Fisher Gallery on the 9th of June. ..