Opening 24 September, the National Gallery of Victoria will present a thought provoking exhibition of contemporary Australian photographs as part of Stormy Weather: Contemporary Landscape Photography.
Drawn entirely from the NGV Collection, Stormy Weather will feature 24 photographs by 11 renowned Australian photographers including Rosemary Laing, Harry Nankin, David Stephenson and Richard Woldendorp.
Isobel Crombie, Senior Curator Photography, NGV said Stormy Weather explores contemporary approaches to the landscape with a particular focus on the way a photographer connects with and understands their environment.
“Perhaps as a result of environmental awareness, or even an evolution in our engagement with Australian history, art photographers in this country are again turning to the natural world as a site for critical practice and inspiration.
“Underpinning these powerful and beautiful works are suggestions of disruption and contradiction, implying all is not as it first may appear,” said Dr Crombie.
Siri Hayes explores this notion in her photograph, Plein air explorers (pictured). Here, she shows the modern landscape as transitional, neither wilderness nor urban, but a land that has lost its purity through overuse. An element of absurdity is apparent as the naked man gazes at the landscape that has been changed forever.
Frances Lindsay, Deputy Director, NGV said: “This exhibition provides visitors with a unique opportunity to view the NGV’s stunning Collection of contemporary Australian photographs.
“The works show how contemporary artists engage with landscape art, particularly focusing on their dynamic relationship to the environment. These inspired photographs are almost as diverse as the land itself,” said Ms Lindsay.
Stormy Weather will feature photographs by Nici Cumpston, Anne Ferran, Murray Fredericks, Siri Hayes, Rosemary Laing, Harry Nankin, John O’Neil, Jill Orr, David Stephenson, Stephanie Valentin and Richard Woldendorp.
To coincide with the exhibition, the NGV is releasing an informative catalogue by Dr Crombie exploring the recent history of landscape photography.
Stormy Weather: Contemporary Landscape Photography will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square from 24 September 2010 – 20 March 2011, 10am–5pm, closed Mondays. Entry is free.
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