It's not often that I get to do a blog post about what's happening on my Auckland doorstep. At last there is something to talk about, a milestone photography show - Recent Auckland Photography.
The show and bookwork features twelve photographers each with a connection to the Auckland region. Some of the photographs capture aspects of that region’s culture and landscape, while others testify to the mobility and ambition of the artists – their familiarity with other places and people. The images reveal distinctive identities and characters, Auckland’s place in the Pacific, the influence of history on the contemporary environment, the wonder of the commonplace, and much more. Most of all, they are personal statements; they are about how the artists see the world.
Unusually, the exhibition is supported by a stunningly well conceived and produced hardback catalogue.
PhotoForum, the publisher says this: Included in the book are some of New Zealand’s most acclaimed photographers, as well as a number of exciting emerging artists. For each artist there is a full page of text followed by representative examples of their work, while an introductory essay establishes the case for looking beyond the more easily recognisable aspects of subject matter to the different effects and feelings of the images themselves. Ron Brownson, senior curator at Auckland Art Gallery has contributed the introduction.
Recent Auckland Photography would not have happened but for the extraordinary vision, and dogged persistence of photographer Chris Corson-Scott and arts writer Edward Hanfling. These two are to be congratulated for mounting and producing a museum quality show and book. This should have been the opportunity and responsibility of any one of a number of public art museums who for the most part seem happy enough to drift along ignoring the healthy, wealthy vein of current photographic practice that exists in New Zealand.
Recent Auckland Photography opens this Sunday May 19th, at Auckland's NorthArt and runs until June 12th. Ron Brownson will speak about the show, 3pm Saturday 8th June at NorthArt.
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| The book: 270x295mm, 176 pages, 100+ color images |
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| Chris Corson-Scott, Ian Scott Painting, Whangaparaoa, 2013 |
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| Ngahuia Harrision, Elizabeth, 2011 |
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| Mark Adams, Mangungu, Wesleyan Mission, Hokianga, 1997 |
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| Ian Macdonald, Pohutukawa, Te Muri Urupa, 2013 |
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