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News - 2010

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Opening - Workshop Term 4 Student Exhibition

23/12/2010 - IMAGES © Averie Harvey

Students and tutors from ACP Workshop Term 4 photography courses caught up over a drink at the ACP on Wednesday 15 December to celebrate the culmination of a term of hard work and to see their favourite images produced during the courses showcased on the walls in the gallery. The exhibition highlighted the strong level and depth of imagery developed through Workshop courses. Matt Heck, Simone Howland and Natalia Ng were announced as the three winners, as selected by the ACP Workshop Tutors. These students had been chosen because they had effectively demonstrated their own unique vision and created a highly original piece.

Sumptuary Floor Talk

14/12/2010 - IMAGES © Averie Harvey

On Saturday 4 December, Sumptuary artists Alexia Sinclair, Robyn Stacey and Garth Knight held a floor talk in galleries 1 and 2, taking the audience on an illuminating tour through the alluring depictions of luxury on display. The three virtuosi image creators each gave an animated account of the technique and inspiration behind their highly original artworks.

A Riotous Decline Floor Talk

14/12/2010 - IMAGES © Zac Garben-Hendley

On Saturday 27 November, photographer Gerard O’Connor and stylist Marc Wasiak presented an ACP audience with a vivid insight into the work that went their rowdy, irreverent tableaux. Whether parodying fifties beach culture or satirising the swashbuckle of piracy, listeners learned how much more there is to these images than immediately meets the eye. O’Connor and Wasiak spoke about their working relationship and the step-by-step involvement that assists in the creation of the detailed, striking imagery found in the exhibition. They discussed the research behind the concept of their work and the technical background necessary for shooting and constructing their meticulously layered images.

The King Maker

07/12/2010 - IMAGES © Averie Harvey

On Thursday 2 December, Alexia Sinclair held special event The King Maker at the Australian Centre for Photography, which served as a platform to discuss her much-anticipated series The Royal Dozen, currently exhibiting in Gallery 2 as part of the Sumptuary exhibition. It was a relaxed, informal evening during which ACP Workshop Manager Paul Macdonald chatted to the fine art photographer and digital artist about her fascinating career, with the audience chipping in with questions throughout.

Participants were given an insight into the many different facets of Alexia’s life and work, from her upbringing and professional background to personal projects and commercial commissions. She gave a behind-the-scenes account of the making of a stunning image for an NZ Opera promotional advert for their 2010 production of Macbeth, showing both the photo-shoot itself but also the labour-intensive post-production involving Photoshop, highlighting her outstanding illustration and image manipulation skills. Alexia went on to present her 2008 series The Regal Twelve and her current series The Royal Dozen, showing the audience a visual map of the concepts behind each image and outlining the personal dedication that had gone into location hunting, costume design and post-production in order to show how she had arrived at the final result.

The Royal Dozen will be on show at the ACP as part of group exhibition Sumptuary until 23 December 2010 and again from 8-29 January 2011. View Alexia Sinclair's website

Opening of Sumptuary and Decline and Fall

03/12/2010 - IMAGES © Stephan Wellsmore

Two lavish new exhibitions opened at the ACP last Thursday evening 25 November, a dazzling display of frivolous and sensuous images including Alexia Sinclair’s much-anticipated new series The Royal Dozen, a complement to the successful The Regal Twelve show held at the ACP in 2008. The Hon. Virginia Judge, Minister for the Arts, opened the exhibitions in Gallery 3 and spoke about the important role an organization such as the ACP plays in showcasing local and international talent within Australia, as well as touring it abroad. She was also thrilled to announce that Sumptuary and Decline and Fall have been her favourite exhibitions of the whole year.

Sumptuary, a group exhibition including works by Garth Knight, Deborah Paauwe, Farrell & Parkin, Alexia Sinclair and Robyn Stacey, explores the opulent universe of luxury, delighting in the fabrics, costumes, jewellery and tableware of conspicuous consumption and exploring absolute power. Decline and Fall by Gerard O’Connor and Marc Wasiak with Harry Rekas & Visual Thing is a raucous echoing of William Hogarth’s 18th-century moral satires, 19th-century History Painting and the 20th Century underground commix of Robert Crumb, the result a garish depiction of social, cultural and moral chaos.

Sumptuary and Decline and Fall will be exhibiting at the ACP until 29 January.

Foto Riesel Foto Rally awards night, in partnership with ACP

26/11/2010 - IMAGE 1 © Anthony Fau, IMAGE 2&3 © Foto Riesel

On the 23 November Foto Riesel hosted the awards night for the Foto Riesel Foto Rally

The Foto Rally, conducted on the 16 October, joined forces between the Australian Centre for Photography and Foto Riesel. The Rally was a unique event in partnership with Art & About which encouraged Sydney residence to get out and ‘experience their city from a new perspective’. Armed with their camera and a set of themed clues, participants set off from Foto Riesel in Kent Street Sydney heading for a range of well-known and hidden locations through Sydney City, Woolloomooloo, Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Paddington before they finished at the Australian Centre for Photography.

The awards night celebrated the outstanding range of images submitted for judging. Finalists and winners from each category were invited to enjoy canapés and wine in the Foto Riesel building, whilst the winners and prizes were announced.

The finalist images will be on display at Foto Riesel until the 7 December.

The winners were as follows:

• Best Black and White Image: Brett East (Light)
• Best Candid Portrait: Yvette Taufan (Time)
• Best Capture of Motion: Robert Hoehne (Wheel)
• Best Still Life: Sabina Pinto (Light)
• Best ‘Old School Style’ image: Carly Robertson (Wheel)
• Best Children’s Entry: Sam McMahon (Wheel)
• Best Student Entry: Felix Rasch (Cross)
• Best use of the photo challenge:
  • Yvette Taufan (Cross)
  • Anthony Fan (Light)
  • Bill Bizimis (Water)
• Highly Commended Prize for Creativity and Originality: Julia Harris (Time)
• Best Overall Image: Anthony Fau (Light)

Opening of Guantanamo: If the Light Goes Out, Edmund Clark and Flickr. Reportage Without a Cause, both presented as part of Reportage Photo Festival 2010

09/11/2010 - IMAGES © Becca Harvey

Thursday 4 November saw the opening of Edmund Clark’s exhibition Guantanamo: If the Light Goes Out and Flickr. Reportage Without a Cause, both part of Reportage 2010. Audience members were able to immerse themselves in Clark’s striking explorations of ‘home’; as images switch dramatically between Cuba’s American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, which has been home to the American community, and the camps where detainees were held. The juxtaposition is unsettling at the least. Audiences saw the uncommercial work pulled from Flickr and curated by Billy Plummer, which reveals the best of current emerging photographic talent on the photo sharing application.

“Reportage gives the public a window into the world around them, a chance to experience the stories of other cultures and engage with powerful photographs, many of which aren’t published in mainstream newspapers or magazines.” said Jacqui Vicario, Reportage Festival Director.

Guantanamo: If the Light Goes Out and Flickr. Reportage Without a Cause will be exhibiting at the ACP until 20 November.

Floor Talk with Stephen Dupont

25/10/2010 - IMAGES © Zac Garben-Hendley

On the 21 October, Stephen Dupont lead a floor talk through his documentary Generation AK. Gallery 3 was packed with people keen to see the Sydney premiere of the film.

After the film, Stephen Dupont lead the captivated audience through a detailed account of his time in Afghanistan, the events that moved him, the people behind the images and the struggle the country is faced with every day.

The floor talk was truly a unique experience with audience members making the most of the opportunity by asking Stephen to elaborate on everything from the camera he used; to the where he stayed and how he survived.

Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 - 2009 is open until the 20 November.

Walkleys Floortalk

25/10/2010 - IMAGES © Zac Garben-Hendley

On Saturday 16 October, we held a Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition floor talk in Galleries 3 and 4. Photographers from the exhibition spoke about the background to some of the photos and the skill of capturing great photographic moments when they present themselves. The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Hillyard spent months with Julia Gillard accompanying her on the campaign trail and taking photographs. He became so familiar with her mannerisms that he was able to distinguish genuine from forced smiles. The Walkleys will be showing until 30 October.

Foto Riesel Foto Rally

25/10/2010 - IMAGES © Andrea Klucis

Foto Riesel’s Foto Rally, designed to get Sydneysiders thinking creatively about their city, took over Sydney on Saturday 16 October. Punters started arriving at Foto Riesel on Kent Street from 9am onwards, where the rally’s route and a series of clues hinting at secret landmarks were revealed. Competitors of all photographic abilities spent the day sprinting and pedalling around the city using their creativity and technical abilities to take artistic and original snaps.

The finish line was at the ACP in Paddington, the final stop for tired legs to get their lanyard stamped and receive a registration code in order to upload their images onto the ACP website, not to mention grab a fabulous goodie bag of industry freebies. The winners will be announced at a presentation evening taking place at Foto Riesel on a date to be confirmed very shortly. We can’t wait to see the results!

Opening of Stephen Dupont, Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 - 2009 and 2010 Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition

18/10/2010 - IMAGES © Yann Audic

Thursday 14 October saw the opening of Stephen Dupont’s documentary photography exhibition on Afghanistan and the 2010 Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition. The galleries were filled with crowds impatient to find out which winners of the Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition were hiding behind the curtains. James Murray, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Nikon, and The Australian’s 2009 Press Photographer of the year Renee Nowytarger announced the winners and the outstanding photographs were finally unveiled. Cameron Laird from The Courier-Mail, The Australian and Herald Sun won Best Portrait Photography Prize for his photograph of Bob Katter, north Queensland Independent MP, and Brendan McCarthy from The Bendigo Advertiser won the Prize for Community and Regional Photography.

Award-winning Australian journalist and Presenter of ABC Foreign Correspondent Mark Corcoran officially opened Stephen Dupont’s remarkable exhibition Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 - 2009 in galleries 1 and 2, a harrowing but poignant photographic documentary of war and the hardship that befell Afghan society between 1993 and 2009.

Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 - 2009, Stephen Dupont will be exhibiting at the ACP until 20 November and the 2010 Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition will be exhibiting at the ACP until 30 October.

Crave Sydney International Food Festival Event

06/10/2010 - IMAGES © Zac Garben-Hendley

On Saturday 2 October, Crave Sydney International Food Festival held a sell-out food photography course at the ACP. Gallery 3 was packed with artistic foodies keen to learn all about the unique skill of scene setting for photographing and styling food.

Tom Luscombe and Paul McDonald were the cheerful hosts, keeping the audience both mesmerized and entertained with their playful banter as they set up photoshoots for such mouthwatering treats as freshly made tomato, basil and bocconcini pizza, rosemary and potato pizza and an irresistible rhubarb and apple crumble, all courtesy of Love Supreme.

Students learned the effects that different lighting angles and different exposures can have on the same dish and were shown Tom’s signature lighting trick, a secret weapon that wowed the crowd. All were welcome to come up to the stage to take a closer look at the set-up and take pictures.

This event was part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival running until 31 October, and was not an ACP course.

Opening of the Term 3 Workshop Exhibition

01/10/2010 - IMAGES © Lucy Parakhina

On Wednesday the 29 September, Workshop staff and students celebrated another successful Term of courses, with the opening of the Term 3 Workshop Exhibition in gallery 3 and 4.

Family, friends and photography enthusiasts packed the gallery to grab a glimpse of the ‘next big thing’ in the world of photography. SX Magazine Editor Reg Domingo and Goethe Institut Director Klaus Krischok selected the three most successful images on the night, and presented awards to the winning students; Prab Naththarampatha, Guy Andrews and Rebecca Wiig.

The night offered a new digital component, with a selection of works now being displayed on screens in the gallery, alongside a number of images presented on the walls.

The Term 3 Workshop Exhibition will be open until the 9 October.

Dream Home Floortalk

09/09/2010 - IMAGES © Avery Harvey

On Saturday 4 September, the ACP held a floortalk on the exhibitions Dream Home, a group exhibition whose works explore Australian values through the metaphor of the home, and Bindi Cole’s Sistagirls, a series of portraits of Indigenous transgender women from the Tiwi Islands exposing the need to be loved and to belong. Artists who contributed to Dream Home discussed their experiences documenting the homes of people from different communities and cultures, rich and poor, and the emphasis people place on the dream, despite the reality. Bindi Cole spoke about how much she fell in love with the Sistagirls community as she tried to capture the essence of who they are.

Opening of Dream Home, 212 Kaoru Alfonso and Sistagirls Bindi Cole

09/09/2010 - IMAGES © Lucy Parakhina

Thursday evening 2 September saw the opening of three new exhibitions at the ACP and the galleries were as busy as ever with people eager to see the much anticipated group exhibition Dream Home. Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore officially opened the exhibition by commenting on the relevance of an exhibition like Dream Home, as a potent reflection of our different ideas and ideals of home and the value that we place on them. Vincent Sweeney, Chairman of the ACP Board, spoke about the international reach of ACP exhibitions like Dream Home which travel both regionally and internationally, accessing a broad audience.

The overwhelming 212 windows of the unit Currong project in Braddon ACT welcomed audiences into the Entrance Corridor; while the beautiful images of indigenous transgender women living on the remote Tiwi islands were striking in Gallery 3; and a stunning range of photo media in Dream Home in Gallery 1 and 2, encompassed video installation, light boxes, a doll’s house and even a sky-filled suitcase!

Dream Home is open to the public until the 9 October. 212 and Sistagirls both close on the 26 September.

Art for Sale!

05/09/2010 - IMAGES © Wes Nel

On Saturday 28 August, our regular Saturday crowd of art lovers was treated to something extra - art for sale! Having enjoyed ACP’s fascinating fashion photography exhibitions Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit, our visitors were able to contemplate a cornucopia of hand-crafted jewellery, painting, sculpture, fashion and objet d’art. In what was the third instalment in this unique contemporary designer market and part of the Paddington Alive fashion festival, the art spaces were filled with stalls offering creations by 18 contemporary Australian designers.

Tea with the Fashionistas

03/09/2010 - IMAGES © Lucy Parakhina

On Wednesday 25 August, a fashion-savvy audience joined the ACP fashion tea party to hear speakers from the fashion industry discuss the contribution fashion makes to our society. Hosted by fashion writer and commentator Glynis Traill-Nash, the panel consisted of fashion photographers Liz Ham and Robyn Beeche, Director of Tangent Magazine Emmanuel Giraud and Art Director of RUSSH Christine Thornton.

Robyn Beeche gave a great insight into the creative and intense atmosphere of the pre-Photoshop fashion world in London in the 1980’s. In today’s digitalized world, the number of images and magazines is larger than previous decades covering both online and print mediums and it is much more difficult to stand out. The panel discussed the pressures of balancing artistic instincts with the commercial demands of consumer-driven brands, and Christine Thorton commented that she does not feel that RUSSH Magazine is constricted by this.

It was agreed that what makes a good picture is not just a pretty girl in pretty clothes, but an engaging model and an entertaining narrative. Fashion for most serves as an escape and, while it can reflect society’s aspirations, there are reservations as to whether it is appropriate for it to try to comment on serious social issues.

Paddington Alive

25/08/2010 - IMAGES © Patrick Stevenson

Wednesday 18 August saw the glitzy launch of Paddington Alive at the ACP. The event was a unique opportunity for all of Paddington’s fashion designers, business owners, retailers and selected media to mingle and celebrate. The evening provided plenty of drinks, canapes and a chance to check out fashion photography by Robyn Beeche, German artists in Zeitgeist Becomes Form and The Birthday Suit’s huge wall installation. Guests included Woollahra Mayor Andrew Petrie, President of the Paddington Business Partnership Kane Kelfkens and General Manager of IMG Fashion Daniel Hill.

Paddington Alive is part of the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, a six-day festival running until 28 August featuring markets, exhibitions and discussions with the industry’s key stakeholders. The ACP is proud to have provided a stunning venue and fashion-inspired exhibitions for the launch.

Fashion Floor Talk

28/07/2010 - IMAGES © Kat Hillis

On Saturday 24 July, the ACP held a floortalk on the giddy and glitzy subject of fashion. Malcolm Smith lead an audience around the galleries, sharing his experiences of working on the fashion photography exhibitions. International fashion photographer Robyn Beeche and the creators of Birthday Suit gossiped about the most shocking outfits they’ve ever seen (or worn), what they think really sucks about fashion and why they love working with it nonetheless.

Spectrum Event - Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit

28/07/2010 - IMAGES © Kat Hillis

At 6pm on Friday 23 July, Spectrum guests were invited to the ACP to view Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit in the galleries. The new fashion photography exhibitions were examined by artists, photographers, the media and altruistic donors, who were all given the opportunity to meet and discuss the work surrounding them. The guests enjoyed a walk through the exhibitions by the artists Olaf Martens, Robyn Beeche and Técha Noble.

Spectrum is the ACP’s newest membership, aimed at providing members with exclusive events, cocktail functions and behind the scenes opportunities to meet artists. Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit will remain open to the public until 28 August.

Opening - Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit

27/07/2010 - IMAGES © Annaliese Comelab

Thursday 22 July saw the opening of Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit as Sydney’s fashion savvy flocked to see the electric new fashion photography exhibitions at the ACP. The air was abuzz as photographers, fashionistas and friends spent the evening mingling and chatting about the exciting work on display. In his welcome speech, Alasdair Foster, Director of the ACP, reflected that “If one must be a fool, one might as well be a fashionable fool”.

The shows embrace a diverse selection of images; from German fashion photography from 1945-1995, including legends such as Helmut Newton, Wolfgang Tillmans and Olaf Martens to Robyn Beeche’s provocative pictures of artists and designers in London in the 1980’s, to The Birthday Suit’s huge contemporary wall installation in the entrance corridor.

Zeitgeist Becomes Form, London Calling and The Birthday Suit will be exhibiting at the ACP until 28 August.

Opening - Right Here, Right Now at Bowen Library

22/07/2010 - IMAGES © Annaliese Comelab

On Tuesday 20 July Barbara Todes, on behalf of Councillor John Procopiadis, Mayor of Randwick City, opened an exhibition of the Right Here, Right Now participants’ work at the Bowen Library. Right Here, Right Now was an exciting series of photography workshops for teenagers aimed at giving young people the means to tell their story through images. The Community program was delivered in partnership between the Australian Centre for Photography, The Shack Youth Services and Randwick Council.

The event was MC’d by Alasdair Foster, Director of the ACP, who spoke about the importance of encouraging young people to express their creativity. ACP Community Coordinator Sasha Kenyon, who was heavily involved in the project from start to finish, congratulated the students on the great photographs they had produced together. Lucas Tan, Olympus Professional Photography Manager, awarded Karlie Stewart, Corey Shaw, Jessica Morris and Kiara Timbery with their own Olympus camera in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

The ACP would like to thank Olympus, Matana Foundation, Storm Imaging, Foto Riesel, Momento and Crumpler, whose generous sponsorship helped make the project a reality. The Right Here, Right Now exhibition will be showing at the Bowen Library, 669 Anzac Parade, Maroubra until 20 August 2010.

Opening - ACP Workshop Term 2 Student Exhibition

13/07/2010 - IMAGES © Kat Hillis

Wednesday 7 July saw the opening of the ACP Workshop Term 2 Student Exhibition, a great chance for students, ACP Workshop staff and the public to enjoy the photographic works produced over the last few months. Time Out feature editor Andy Georgiou came along to see the show and complimented the students on the impressive technical standard and range of creativity. Andy commented that his profession exposes him to a lot of repetitive images, and that he found it refreshing to see such a great demonstration of thinking outside the box. Andrew Voogel, Photographic Courses Manager for the ACP Workshop, spoke about how the work on the walls was a collaboration between students and tutors. This was Paul McDonald’s first exhibition as Workshop Manager. Thanks to our sponsors Crumpler, Momento, Foto Riesl and Kayell for sponsoring ACP Workshop.

Slide Night - Captured, Collected, Categorised

06/07/2010 - IMAGES © Kat Hillis

On Thursday 1 July, a curious audience gathered at the ACP to celebrate the eccentric obsessions and perversities of twelve photographers. Car covers, mobile phones and mirrors were transformed from everyday object to artist’s muse, providing inspiration for an original assortment of images all tidily catalogued. Rarer subjects included Gary Trinh’s trees, clipped and trimmed to allow space for electrical cables to pass through them, and Martin Mischkulnig’s colourful shots of collectors of just about anything from aprons to plastic fruit. Having documented what he’d eaten every day for a year, Patrick Boland took us through an overwhelming 1305 photos, including 365 dinners, 362 lunches, 359 breakfasts and 219 substantial snacks. We were taken to the nutty extremes of taxonomy and photography.

Book Fair - ACP Winter Book Fair

23/06/2010 - IMAGES © Annaliese Comelab

Book stalls lined the walls of the galleries on Saturday 19 June as the ACP was transformed into a bustling book fair. Customers spent the afternoon slowly prowling the stands, examining the unique mix of photographic publications on display. Authors were on hand to give a fresh insight into their wares, from Peter Ellison’s Volcano to Dean Lewins’ Fotostrada - An Australian Photographers Collective. It was a great turnout and the ACP plans to hold a similar event towards the end of the year.

Opening - Hijacked 2: Australia / Germany

15/06/2010 - IMAGES © Annaliese Comelab

The Australian Centre for Photography was ‘Hijacked’ again on the 10th June, as curators Mark McPherson and Ute Noll brought together Australian and German artists/artwork for the opening of Hijacked 2: Australia / Germany.

Mark McPherson’s brain-child, Hijacked 2, focused on the diverse talents and perspectives of 32 contemporary photographers from Australia and Germany. Confronting, evocative and often dream like, Hijacked 2 provided the perfect much-awaited follow up to its predecessor, Hijacked 1: Australia / USA.

Hijacked 2: Australia / Germany will be open at the Australian Centre for Photography until the 17 July.

The exhibition will also be touring interstate. Visit Big City Press for more information on venues and dates.

Panel Discussion - Photo Festivals

01/06/2010 - IMAGES 1&2 © Annaliese Comelab, IMAGE 3 © Kat Hillis

On Thursday 27 May, a keen audience braved the cold, wintery weather to hear the Directors of Australia’s most renowned photographic festivals speak about the highlights of their programmes at the Australian Centre for Photography.

Maurice Ortega from the Queensland Festival of Photography, Bob Hewitt from the FotoFreo International Photography Festival, Jeff Moorfoot from the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, Linda Groom from the Vivid National Photography Festival, and Moshe Rosenzveig from the Head On Photo Festival (showing at galleries, restaurants and cafes around Sydney until June 5) discussed the evolution of these festivals and initiatives in front of a group of engaged listeners.

Opening - Now and When at Storm Gallery

28/05/2010 - IMAGES © Annaliese Comelab

On Wednesday 26 May, Storm Gallery opened an exhibition of the 2009 Now and When participants work, as part of the Head On Photography Festival.

Staff, supporters, family and participants celebrated the success of the courses, while ‘Frank’ Te Rangatahi Taniora, was awarded an ACP scholarship and a professional photographic kit kindly supported by Olympus, for his commitment and excellence in the program.

Cam Neville, Storm Gallery Director, spoke about the importance of programs such as this in the participant’s lives, but also the supporting organisations’. He pledged to sponsor the program for another 3 years.

Lucas Tan, Olympus Professional Photography Manager, highlighted the remarkable outcomes of the program, and encouraged the participants to keep shooting, ‘because as long as you have a life story, the images will always come’.

The Now and When exhibition will be showing at Storm Gallery until the 5 June. Storm Gallery
2/ 65 - 67 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Mon - Sat: 11:00am - 4:00pm

My Place_My Face

13/05/2010 - IMAGE © My Place_MY Face, Man’s best friend

The Australian Centre for Photography is pleased to partner with the City of Sydney and Wesley Mission, to create a new photography competition called MyPlace_MyFace.

A place that is special is the theme of the competition that aims to reach out to people who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, alongside people who have a secure place to live.

MyPlace_MyFace encourages people to take a photo of themselves, their friends, family or pet, in a setting that has added meaning for them, be it a local park, favourite tree, café, swimming spot, the back yard shed, mum's old lounge, or a cubby house.

The competition will see the images of 25 finalists exhibited at Pine Street Creative Arts Centre from 19-29 August.

The initiative invites entries from amateur photographers, regardless of age or skill level. Entries close 12 July.

More Information

Floortalk - Video Portraits

10/05/2010 - IMAGES 1,3&4 © Annaliese Comelab, IMAGES 2,5&6 © Kat Hillis

On Saturday 8 May, ACP Program Manager Malcolm Smith lead a group around galleries 1 and 2 where the screen based exhibitions My Favourite Australian and The Mirror Effect are showing. The audience participated in an animated discussion on the broader role that video can play in contemporary art. The audience members were particularly fascinated by the fact that the video portraits in both exhibitions were all created specifically for the gallery environment.

My Favourite Australian and The Mirror Effect are open at the ACP until 5 June.

Head On Spectrum Preview

07/05/2010 - IMAGES 1-2 © Annaliese Comelab, IMAGE 3 © Kat Hillis

At 5pm on Friday 30 April, Spectrum guests were invited to attend a preview of the Head On Portrait Prize in the ACP galleries. A mixture of professionals from the photographic industry, the media and the philanthropically minded were given the opportunity to meet and discuss the compelling portraits surrounding them. The night was accentuated by wine from Shaw Vineyard Estate and delicious Indian canapés from Le Bukhara.

Spectrum is the ACP’s newest membership, aimed at providing members with exclusive events, cocktail functions and behind the scenes opportunities to meet artists. The Head On Portrait Prize, My Favourite Australian and The Mirror Effect will remain open to the public until June 5.

Opening - Head On Portrait Prize

07/05/2010 - IMAGES 1-3 © Annaliese Comelab, IMAGES 4-6 © Kat Hillis

Friday 30 April saw the greatly anticipated opening of the Head On Portrait Prize at the ACP. The galleries were heaving with people eager to see the 40 finalists’ prints and to hear the hon. Peter Garrett, Minister for the Arts, officially open the Head On Festival.

Regarded by the arts community and reviewers as the most critically important photographic portrait prize in the country, the show’s main selection criteria were the quality and impact of the image, rather than the celebrity of the photographer or subject. This year's judges were National Gallery of Victoria senior curator of photography Dr Isobel Crombie, prize-winning photographer Anthony Browell, Australian agent for international photo agency Vu Isabelle Rouvillois and Head On Curator, Moshe Rosenzveig.

Congratulations to Gil Meydan, Fiona Wolf and Karl Schwerdtfeger, whose captivating portraits Noah, Jaqui and Mike respectively were chosen from a pool of 40 finalists out of 2200 entries. All 40 finalist works will be exhibited at the ACP until 5 June. The top 100 images can also be seen on a screen in the lounge at the ACP.

Head On Portrait Prize officially opened by the hon. Peter Garrett

07/05/2010 - IMAGES © Tom Koprowski

On Friday 30 April at 6.45pm, over 1000 guests attended the ACP to hear the hon. Peter Garrett, Minister for the Arts, announce the winners of the Head On Portrait Prize. Struck by the emotional immediacy of the work around him, Peter Garrett praised the poignant human moments captured in the portraiture and the works’ outstanding compositional and technical quality, as well as their lack of emphasis on celebrity. He also commended the ACP’s strong involvement in the visual arts community:

“The Australian Centre for Photography is a leader in the Australian visual arts landscape. You are promoting the sector, you are making a valuable contribution not only to enabling people to come in and share the work that you are displaying - the exhibitions that you have here - but also the arts policy debate itself.”

Floortalk - Head On Portrait Prize

07/05/2010 - IMAGE 1 © Annaliese Comelab, IMAGES 2-3 © Kat Hillis

On Saturday 1 May, the ACP held a floortalk on the evolution of the Head On photo festival. Festival curator Moshe Rosenzveig and guests discussed the expansion of Head On from an independent national photographic portrait competition launched in 2004 to its current state as an exciting initiative involving photographic portrait exhibitions, events, seminars, workshops and screenings in galleries, restaurants and cafes around Sydney.

The winners of the Head On Portrait Prize also spoke about the background to their successful shots and why they entered the competition.

Opening - Workshop Term 1 Students’ Exhibition

19/04/2010 - IMAGES © ACP Workshop

The ACP galleries were jam-packed with aspiring photographers, friends and family on Wednesday 14 April. On this night, workshop students of a range of levels and abilities were each given the opportunity to showcase the single best photograph they had produced during the course. Selected by ACP Program Manager Malcolm Smith and the award-winning artist and photographer Alexia Sinclair, the three winners Angelo Sgambatti, Michelle Murch and Kelly Geddes won Crumpler bags and Momento and Kayell gift vouchers.

Slide Night - Subcultures

14/04/2010 - IMAGES © Lucy Parakhina

On a rainy Thursday evening on 8 April, 10 photographers from different areas of Australia travelled to the ACP to present a selection of their work based around the common theme of subculture.

Steering the audience from one extreme to another, the photographers gave us access to the homes and meeting points of a number of wildly different minority communities. Documenting dress codes and attitudes, the presentations included evocative music, short talks and even a live, interactive conversation with photographer Jay Cronan, who reminded the audience that “there is a little bit of bogan in all of us”! We saw it all: Mature Lolitas adorned in pink plastic accessories and doll-like dresses. Homeless men squatting in a skyscraper. The Hellfire Club in Sydney. An illegal rave in a forest. Medieval role play.

With Malcolm Smith leading the discussion, interesting points included the fact that all of the photographers’ photos seemed to reveal a sense of distance from their subjects, as well as the inevitable contradiction between reacting against mass culture and the evident need for validation and belonging.

Floortalk - Olivia Martin-McGuire

24/03/2010 - IMAGES © Ben Stone-Herbert

On Saturday 20 March, Olivia Martin-McGuire held a floortalk on her exhibition Sleepers, in which individuals are photographed at the point where they start to drift into a sleepy state of unconsciousness. Olivia discussed the challenges and logistics of the project, the different sleepers she worked with, and the underlying themes behind her work.

Olivia Martin-McGuire also explained that she has travelled around the world documenting people sleeping for a body of work called Waking Dream States. Sleepers is one element of this project.

Sleepers is open until the 11 April.

ACP celebrates their involvement in the Pingyao International Photography Festival

22/03/2010 - IMAGES © Yann Audic

On Wednesday the 17th March, the Australian Centre for Photography hosted welcome drinks for Mr Zhang Guotian, Director of the Pingyao International Photography Festival, who had travelled from China in order to discuss the ACP's involvement in the upcoming photography festival in September.

As they mingled, PIP delegates showed a keen interest in the stunning photography on display in the galleries; Love Me by Zed Nelson, Domesticated by Amy Stein and Sleepers by Olivia Martin-McGuire.

The PIP festival will be held from the 19th - 25th September 2009 in Pingyao in China, showcasing works that have been created and selected around the theme of “life and dream”. For further information, visit www.pipphoto.com/english.aspx.

Floortalk - Amy Stein

17/03/2010 - IMAGES © Ben Stone-Herbert

On Saturday 13 March, celebrated photographer Amy Stein held a floor talk at the Australian Centre for Photography on her series titled Domesticated. Identified as one of the top fifteen emerging photographers in the world, Amy discussed the development behind her work, the inspiration for the images and her use of taxidermied animals to recreate town stories.

Amy spoke passionately about her photographic background and plans to document the Australian landscape and our relationship with it.

Domesticated is open until the 11 April.

Spectrum Cocktails

17/03/2010 - IMAGES © Ben Stone-Herbert

On the 12th March, the Australian Centre for Photography hosted a special cocktail event for our exclusive supporters network Spectrum and invited guests.

Guests enjoyed floor talks by the exhibiting artists, Amy Stein and Olivia Martin-McGuire focusing on the themes to their work and background stories to the image production.

Upon arrival guests were greeted by friendly ACP staff and enjoyed a selection of canapés from Love Supreme and wines, before being welcomed by the ACP Director, Alasdair Foster.

Opening - Love Me, Domesticated and Sleepers

17/03/2010 - IMAGES © Yann Audic

On the 11th of March, the Australian Centre for Photography opened three new exhibitions - Love Me by Zed Nelson, Domesticated by Amy Stein and Sleepers by Olivia Martin-McGuire.

In Gallery 1 + 2, Love Me is a collection of images documenting how far people will go for the quest for physical perfection. Zed Nelson’s subjects are school girls; body builders; Iranian’s queuing for nose jobs; New Yorkers having foot surgery to fit into Jimmy Choo shoes; and South American women undergoing surgery to bring themselves eerily close to Barbie dolls.

Gallery 3 showcases the work of celebrated photographer Amy Stein that draws a connection between the mystery and freedom of the natural world, while commenting on our desire to tame the wild around us and compulsively control the wild within our nature.

Local photographer, Olivia Martin-McGuire’s work Sleepers sits beautifully in Gallery 4. Olivia’s images capture the artless choreography of sleep; the intimate way couples hold or fall against each other and the graceful simplicity of bodies without inhibition.

Love Me is open until the 24 April. Domesticated and Sleepers are open until the 11 April.

Panel Discussion - Rock Photography

10/03/2010 - IMAGES © Lucy Parakhina

The ACP Rocks out

On the 19th of February the ACP put on its leather jacket, skinny jeans and combed its biggest rock hair, to present a discussion panel called The Rock Photographer. The event was a great success with gallery 3 and the lounge packed to its capacity.

Featuring renowned rock photographer Tony Mott; new time photographer Daniel Boud and the Art Director of Rolling Stone Magazine, Joe Ferrara; the panel reviewed a series of images from each photographer and discussed their touring experiences, technical requirements and the flamboyant lifestyle myths associated with being a rock photographer.

The panel was hosted by Tali Udovich, the Director of Blender Gallery.

Floortalk - Rebecca Swan

10/03/2010 - IMAGES © Ben Stone-Herbert

On Thursday the 4th March, celebrated photographer Rebecca Swan held a floor talk, at the Australian Centre for Photography, exploring her powerful portraits of alternative gendered people.

Rebecca’s images create an intimate and poignant window into the world where boundaries of male and female are challenged. During the floor talk Rebecca discussed the fascinating and inspiring stories behind the images, offering a common thread through the works of strength, vision, acceptance and generosity of spirit.

Floortalk - Eniac Martínez

03/03/2010 - IMAGES © Ben Stone-Herbert

On Saturday the 27th of February Eniac Martínez lead audiences through a floor talk of his exhibition titled Camino Real de Tierra Adentro in gallery 3.

Martínez spoke passionately about the political themes and cultural influences behind his work. As one of Mexico’s pre-eminent documentary photographers, Martínez’s imagery exquisitely captures the absurdities, extravagances and realities of contemporary Mexican life.

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro is open until the 6th March 2010.

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Opening - Mind Games; Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and Je toto lokálni, nebo národní zvyk?

03/02/2010 - IMAGES © Yann Audic

On the 28th of January, the Australian Centre for Photography opened three new exhibitions exploring the construction of identity and the critique of cultural stereotypes and politics in the adult world.

Provocative, political and at times disturbing Mind Games explores the psychology of play and children rehearsing the rituals of adult hood. The exhibition features works by Eric Bridgeman, The Jackson Twins, Suk Kuhn Oh, Toshie Takeuchi.

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro features documentary photographer Enaic Martínez's lyrical and evocative panoramic images of the El Camino Real (The Royal Road) and Mexican life.

Peter Fitzpatrick's work, Je toto lokálni, nebo národní zvyk? represents the artists fascination with dispossessed people in Prague. The images ultimately become confronting depictions of marginalised people in large-scale photographs or video format.

Garth Knight's stunning stain glass window installation, Window to the Divine, in the ACP lounge, throws fresh light on the modern day angel.

Mind Games; Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and Je toto lokálni, nebo národní zvyk? are open until the 6 March 2010.

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Private viewing - Eniac Martínez: Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

03/02/2010 - IMAGES © Yann Audic

On the 28th of January, the Australian Centre for Photography held a private viewing of Eniac Martínez's exhibition titled Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. The private viewing, supported by the Mexican Embassy, and was opened by H.E. Martha Ortiz de Rosas, the Ambassador of Mexico.

Passionately attended by invited Embassy staff and Australian-based Mexican citizens, the private viewing was a celebration of Martínez's panoramic images capturing the complex realities of contemporary Mexican life surrounding the Royal Road.

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro is open until the 6 March 2010.

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