MGA exhibition nominated for Prix Pictet

Paul Dunn’s exhibition Imagined Communities, originally exhibited at MGA in 2009, has been successfully nominated for consideration by the judges of this year’s Prix Pictet.

Sponsored by the Geneva-based private bank Pictet & Cie, the Prix Pictet is the world’s first prize dedicated to photography and sustainability. It has a unique mandate – to use the power of photography to communicate crucial messages to a global audience. The theme of this year’s prize is Growth, which resonates strongly with Dunn’s interest in the ‘growth corridors’ of Australian cities.

Christian Thompson Survey Show

Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi has just slipped this survey show into its program, after something else fell through, but it's an inspired 'filler' - not to be missed!

"Christian Bumbarra Thompson, a Bidjara man of the Kunja Nation, is a photographer, conceptual and performance artist. He is a third wave Indigenous Australian artist whose work and unique experience come from an emersion in the social and cultural zeitgeist of the 80s and 90s as an Aboriginal person. His work is a leading force in the exploration of issues of identity, race and history in Australia. In 2009 Thompson completed a DASARTS residency (Advanced Studies for Performing Arts) in Amsterdam and a residency at The Centre for Future Art Research at Arizona State University, USA. He will be the first Aboriginal person to attend Oxford University after recently being awarded the inaugural Charlie Perkins Scholarship for International post-graduate studies and will undertake a residency at Blast Theory Art Collective in the UK in August 2010. This survey show brings together photographic and video work from the last 10 years of Christian Thompson’s impressive career." (Press release)

-Stephen Zagala

Georgia Metaxas

Georgia's new and improved website is worth a look. As a so-called 'straight' documentary photographer, her work is often understated. But, bit by bit, her practice has developed a remarkable gravity that is quite striking when viewed as a whole. She's currently working on a new series of portraits, and looking for subjects, so help her out if you can. And she'll be one of the artists featured in HIJACKED 2 - AUSTRALIA/GERMANY, on show at MGA, 28 Oct 2010-16 Jan 2011.
-Stephen Zagala

The real meaning of engagement

When was the last time you were truly engaged with an exhibition? I mean in a receptive, timeless and selfless state of wilful, absolute involvement of mind and emotion?
If you’ve visited MGA recently, chances are this has happened to you. It’s been apparent over the past weeks that visitors to Icon & archive: photography and the world wars are not ‘seeing’ the exhibition—they’re experiencing it!
Amanda

Bring In Your Memorabilia Day

They came alone, in pairs and in groups, some nervous and others unsure if their questions could be answered, but also proud of their family-member’s contribution during times of war. Gently, they carried softly yellowing photographs, medals hanging from a rainbow of ribbons and hand-written letters, postcards and diaries from fathers, uncles and grand-fathers, barely legible through the passage of time.

These personal treasures and their caretakers made their way to MGA last Saturday for a very special event: four experts from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra had come to visit for Bring In Your Memorabilia Day.

For four hours Kate Dethridge, Curator of Photographs; Dianne Rutherford, Acting Curator, Military Heraldry & Technology; Helen Butler, Conservator, Paper & Photographs and Dr Karl James, Historian provided advice to over 140 visitors.

The age, origin and significance of the treasures were common queries with some visitors having only recently discovered photographs that had been hidden away. For many, their items were in need of care and they left armed with tips and suggestions to ensure their preservation for future generations. Some came away with a sense of relief, their queries answered, others with yet more questions.

MGA would like to extend its thanks to Kate, Dianne, Helen and Karl for their time and expertise, the Australian War Memorial and also the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commemorations Program for their generous funding and support of the day.

Whilst there is just six weeks remaining to see Icon & archive: photography & the World Wars there are plenty more events to come, check out our events calendar for more details.

Image:
Kate Dethridge & Dr Karl James provide advice to gallery visitors
© Monash Gallery of Art 2010 photo: Stephanie Richter

$25 000 Bowness Photography Prize: 4 weeks to deadline

Photographers from across the country have 4 weeks left to enter one of Australia’s richest art prizes.

This year the first prize is $25 000 (non-acqisitive) with an additional $1 000 People’s choice award.

Entries close 30 June and photographers will need to complete an entry form available from our website: http://www.mga.org.au/bowness-prize/entry

The Bowness Photography Prize attracts a range of work from photographers across the country. There are no thematic restrictions and the competition is open to all analogue and digital photography.

Entries this year are coming in from a broad cross section of photographers - ranging from documentary photographers to fashion and nature photographers, as well as strong representation from contemporary artists.

The winner of the 2010 Bowness Photography Prize and Honourable Mentions will be announced on Thursday 23 September 2010 during a cocktail party held at MGA.