The Australian Centre for Photography has launched the first instalment of its Summer Season, with photography exhibitions by Conor O’Brien, Rebecca Dagnall, and Lee Grant.
Surveying eight years of Melbourne-based artist Conor O’Brien’s photographic practice; “Photographs 2003-2011” presents his first major survey exhibition.
Whether the locations are urban or bush, occupied or vacant, O'Brien says the images are about the recognition of "something lost which can be found as you reflect on the significance of the insignificant in the everyday".
O’Brien’s images are carefully considered beyond the initial instinctual camera-making moment; evolving into what he terms ‘objects’ presented as limited edition publications and photographic installations.
“Conor O’Brien: Photographs 2003-2011” will be on display at the Australian Centre for Photography (257 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW) from December 3 to 23, then again from January 4 to February 5, 2012.
Melding heavy metal
imagery and fantasy poster art with digitally manipulated landscapes, the
photographic works of Rebecca Dagnall’s latest series “There is unrest in the
forest, there is trouble in the trees” aims to transform Australian suburban parks into places of gothic mystery.
Dagnall sees her images as seductive,
threatening, fantastical and full of foreboding. She says they aim to reveal a potent suburban
cultural iconography.
“There is unrest in the forest, there is trouble in the trees” is on at the Australian Centre for Photography (257 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW) from December 3 to 23, then from January 4 to 15, 2012.
“Belco Pride” is a series of images which explores how belonging, connection and identity can emerge from a specific place. In this exhibition the place is ‘Belco’, the local name for Belconnen, the 25 northernmost suburbs of Canberra. Lee Grant says her process of returning home was a cathartic experience in which she reconciled her perception of place with its banal and vernacular reality. Grant says she has sought to reveal the intricacies of living in suburbs which might be dismissed by many, but cherished by some.
“Belco Pride” is on at the Australian Centre for Photography (257 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW) from December 3 to 23, then again from January 4 to 15, 2012.
Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 12 to 7pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free.
Looking 2008/09. Image by Conor O'Brien.
Dan 2010. Image by Lee Grant.