On The Map. 2 Sep 2013

1

MAPMANY

AUSTRALIANPHOTOGRAPHERS

GROUP

SEPTEMBER 2013O

N T

HE

VOL 1. ISSUE 2

2

We of MAPgroup spend much of our efforts on

the great work of preserving ‘moments’ from the

corrosion of time; fixing by halide or pixel a fraction

of a second that embodies a thousand tales.

We are a gathering of like-minded photographers

committed to the independent documentation of

those stories that may otherwise escape the myopic

gaze of mainstream media. Our membership includes

emerging as well as established photographers who

are passionate about the documentation of social

and environmental issues.

Our aim is twofold: We seek to create collections

of images that are thought-provoking and edifying,

and are of archival benefit to those individuals or

organisations we document, as well as the broader

Australian community. We recognise that our

strength lay in our diverse and talented membership

so we seek to create a supportive and nurturing

environment, which fosters the sharing of skills and

ideas, and facilitates project collaborations.

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cover image

ANZAC Day 2013

Photo: Noel Butcher

1

CO

NTE

NTS

3WELCOME4PROJECT ROOMS12ANZAC DAY40COLLECTIONS SHOPPING AROUND58IN DEVELOPMENT NATHALIA

66IN FOCUS SUSAN GORDON-BROWN

MAPON

TH

E

3

Welcome

When a photographer friend invited me to come along to

a MAP meeting several years ago, the thing that struck me

most was the enthusiasm and passion of the photographers.

They were a group with diverse photographic interests and

perspectives, but connected by a love of the documentary

form of photography.

Projects

Beyond Reasonable Drought recently toured Victoria to great

success. See report on page 4.

Single Town Project, the most recent one in and around

Wonthaggi, will have an exhibition of images opening on

4 October at The Coffee Collective, 50-52 McBride Avenue,

Wonthaggi.

Asbestos. An ongoing project with more MAP photographers

joining in to document this important issue. Recent problems

experienced by Telstra in relation to asbestos found in old pits

and pipes remind us that asbestos will remain an issue for

some time to come.

MAP’s strength as a group lies in the personal projects

and observations we document on a daily basis. In this issue

we’ve put together a collection of images called Shopping

Around. It looks at interesting and quirky businesses, their

locations and the people who own and use them, starting with

a photo of a general store in 1951 by Francis Reiss (our oldest

member) and including a shop in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in

1979 by Andrew Chapman. There is also a wonderful collection

of images from recent ANZAC Day commemorations.

Finally I’d like to welcome our three newest members to

MAPgroup, Jenny Hodge, Ben Wrigley and Lesley Turnbull,

we look forward to seeing some of their work in future issues.

Enjoy!

Jaime Murcia

President MAPgroupThe famous Niagara Cafe.

Gundagai, NSW.

Photo: David Marks

MAP membersAlan AttwoodJulie Bowyer

James BraundNoel Butcher

Brian CarrPeter CasamentoAndrew Chapman

Nigel ClementsRodney Dekker

Joyce EvansPeter Eve

Melanie Faith DoveJoseph Feil

Silvi GlattauerSusan Gordon-Brown

Ponch HawkesNaomi HerzogJenny HodgeDavid Johns

Helga LeunigBrent Lukey

Morganna MageeDale Mann

Nicole MarieDavid Marks

Margie McClellandJim McFarlaneJulie MillowickJaime Murcia

June OrfordFrancis ReissKristian Scott

Krystal SeigermanMichael Silver

Ellen SmithTobias Titz

Lesley TurnbullJuanita Wilson

Anna WolfBen Wrigley

4

BEYOND REASONABLE DROUGHT

BRD at MilduraExhibition opening at Mildura Arts Centre, May 2013.

Photo: Dale Mann

“Beyond Reasonable Drought has returned to where it belongs … in the bush … ,”

said an exhibition goer on the opening night at Mildura Arts Centre. The photographs

inspired the locals and MAP photographer Dale Mann had no trouble finding community

photographers willing to go out to photograph their own community, and months later

they are still at work in a group called SIP (Sunraysia Inspired Photographers). “They did

brilliant work,” said Dale. “Like Nathalia, Mildura has shown there is plenty of talent out

here in the bush.”

Beside giving a masterclass, Dale, with help from local MAPper Krystal Seigerman

and her boyfriend Tim, plus a borrowed camera from Andrew Chapman, shot Mildura

post drought. “There are lots of positive things happening in Mildura especially with water

conservation, but also, some of the stories coming from citrus growers could make a

grown man cry.”

PROJECT ROOM 1

5

PROJECTS PAST, PRESENT

AND FUTURE

LiberationCattle trails across a dry riverbed south of Rockhampton, QLD. 2005.

Photo: Leo Farrell

Beyond Reasonable Drought, a powerful body of work

which evolved into a touring Museum of Australian

Democracy exhibition, a book published by Five Mile

Press, and a significant photographic archive held within

the National Library of Australia’s Pandora resource.

CURRENT STATUS

In storage.

CONTACT

Jaime Murcia

Photographs from Nathalia and Mildura

Images from the masterclass program conducted at Nathalia are presented on page 58.

Mildura images will be featured in the next issue.

Images from both masterclasses can be seen on the MAPgroup website courtesy

of Noel Butcher – mapgroup.org.au/information/mapgroup-in-the-community/

6

BEYOND REASONABLE DROUGHT

PROJECT ROOM 1

Embers“The fire approached on both sides. I prepared for 30 years for this very day.” Resident, Seaton, VIC.

Photo: Rodney Dekker

Photographers Rodney Dekker and Dale Mann were invited by MoAD to photograph

communities in Victoria, including Nathalia and Mildura, to show how they have

responded to the recent cycle of drought.

7


AND FUTURE

The touring 82 print exhibition component of Beyond Reasonable Drought

is managed by the Museum of Australian Democracy. Venues to date are:

Old Parliament House, ACT 8 Jul–26 Oct, 2008

Horsham Regional Art Gallery, VIC 4 Nov 2008– 5 Jan, 2009

Shear Outback, Hay, NSW 1 Feb–17 Apr, 2009

Central Goldfields Art Gallery, VIC 16 May–28 Jun, 2009

Museum of Australian Democracy, ACT 1 Nov 2009–14 Feb, 2010

Museum of Australian Democracy, ACT 4 Sep–2 Dec, 2010

101 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 15 Feb–4 Mar, 2013

The G.R.A.I.N. Store, Nathalia, VIC 9 Mar–17 Apr, 2013

Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura, VIC 6 May–28 Jun, 2013

Firewood for winterFormer fresh water research ecologist, Bernard McCarthy, cuts up the remains of nut trees. The high cost of water has made the crop uneconomical.

Photo: Dale Mann

8

PROJECT ROOM 2ASBESTOS

The theatre production, Dust, conceived and directed

by Donna Jackson of Hubcap Productions, with music by

Mark Seymour and video by Malcolm McKinnon, explores

the effects asbestos has had on Australian families. It covers

places of employment, home building materials and the

terrifying revelation that domestic products like toothpaste,

playdough, hair dryers and cigarette filters, were all made

with asbestos!

Far from depressing, Dust is joyous, touching and

inspirational. Like the people who battled James Hardie

Industries and won, Dust represents guts, determination

and the Australian fighting spirit.

The production incorporates stories of people who

have succumbed to Mesothelioma and as these individual

stories are told (through diverse methods), photographs or

PROJECT DETAILS

Commenced

January 2012.

The MAP Asbestos

project seeks to improve

public awareness and

education regarding

asbestos.

CONTACT

Julie Bowyer

mapgroup.org.au

Photo: Ponch Hawkes

9


AND FUTURE

Above. Dust shows a projected video of Lisa (who has since died of Mesothelioma) telling the audience her story. In the foreground performers re-enact this tragic event. Adelaide, SA.

Photo: Julie Millowick

PARTICIPATING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie Bowyer

Rodney Dekker

Alan Attwood

Krystal Seigerman

Susan Gordon-Brown

Tobias Titz

Margie McClelland

Julie Millowick

Ponch Hawkes

Julie Orford

video footage of these real people are integrated into the

performance – often with their voice talking to the audience.

Very moving, very powerful.

During May, MAP photographers Ponch Hawkes and Julie

Millowick photographed one of the performances in Adelaide.

The images reflect the sideshow component as well as the

main stage production. Photographing during a performance,

their first considerations were not to intrude on the performance

and definitely not to disturb the patrons. Lighting conditions

were challenging and uprated ISO of 3200 was used.

10

ASBESTOS

PROJECT ROOM 2

Above. Dust One of the eight sideshows that told different stories about this multi-faceted tragedy. Adelaide, SA.


Left. Dust The Kent Micronite cigarettes had a filter made with asbestos. Adelaide, SA.


11


AND FUTURE

Above. Dust Allen Harris, a member organiser at CBUS who worked alongside “Asbestos” Jack Watkins in his passionate campaign against the dangers of asbestos, tells Jack’s stories.

Photo: Ponch Hawkes

Jack Watkins was a remarkable man whose knowledge of the dangers and whereabouts

of asbestos in Adelaide’s buildings was unsurpassed. He was a walking register of

asbestos sites. There are many stories about Jack that demonstrate his larrikin ethos and

his tremendous courage and spirit in fighting for safe conditions for workers everywhere.

One story was he went into Parliament, into the Gallery, and they’re talking about

asbestos, and how it’s not that dangerous. Jack jumps up on the rail of the Public

Gallery. “If it’s so safe you have it. You’re killers all of you.” He dumps a load of asbestos

dust out onto the politicians. They all started squealing like pigs. If asbestos was safe

why were they so scared?

That was a turning point, that day many pollies changed their attitude and got behind

removing the blue death. And that’s when Jack got his name. Asbestos Jack.

Source: Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia

12

ANZAC

Photo: Michael Silver

DAYRecord numbers attended the 2013 ANZAC Day ceremonies. The spirit of ANZAC continued to have meaning and relevance as people in towns and cities across Australia acknowledged the service and sacrifice of the veterans.

Many photographers have documented events on ANZAC Day, working in all kinds of weather conditions and going to locations across the nation, and sometimes beyond. The day begins with the Dawn Service and continues with the main ceremony at mid-morning. Young and old come together to commemorate the anniversary and to remember all those in the Australian and New Zealand forces who served and died in past wars and conflicts.

On the following pages are images taken by MAPgroup photographers which capture some of the poignant day with friends and families, as well as moments when old mates get together to catch up over a beer.

14

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Jaime Murcia

15

Photo: Susan Gordon-Brown

16

ANZAC DAY


17

Photo: Krystal Seigerman

18

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Noel Butcher

19


20

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Jaime Murcia

21

Photo: Brian Carr

22

Photo: Helga Leunig

ANZAC DAY

23

Photo: Andrew Chapman

24

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Margie McClelland

25

Photo: Alan Attwood

26

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Michael Silver

27

Photo: Dale Mann

28

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Alan Attwood

29

Photo: David Marks

30

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Dale Mann

31


32

Photo: Helga Leunig

ANZAC DAY

33

Photo: Margie McClelland

34

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Joseph Feil

35

Photo: David Marks

36

ANZAC DAY

Photo: Joseph Feil

37

Photo: Brian Carr

38

ANZAC DAY


Photo: Jaime Murcia

40

COLLECTIONS

Most photographers accumulate thousands of images from their professional work

as well as from their personal projects. These collections document a huge variety

of subject matter, from corporate boardrooms to the remote outback, from wedding

portraits to portraits of solders at war, from cute puppies to endangered wildlife.

Photographers record our present which will become our history.

We wish to show you some examples of the “Collections” from MAP photographers.

Our first subject matter in the series is titled Shopping Around which takes an

interesting look at shops, their locations and people who own and use them.

Victor Bailey, general store manager with shareholder Rex J. White and his wife Helen, having a glass of scotch while the store is closed for lunch, Collarenebri, NSW. 1951.

Photo: Francis Reiss

41

COLLECTIONS SHOPPING AROUND

Hay Jewellers, Hay, NSW.

Photo: David Marks

Rock Sing Chinese Restaurant, High Street, Northcote.

Photo: David Marks

ENQUIRIES

[email protected]

42


Made in Hurstbridge – Ron the fruiterer. 2007. The business has since changed hands.

Photo: Silvi Glattauer

43

Made in Hurstbridge – The three Stubley brothers, Hurstbridge Hardware. 2007. The hardware store was destroyed in a fire and the brothers have moved on.

Photo: Silvi Glattauer

44


Photo: Alan Attwood

45

61 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. 1979.

Photo: Andrew Chapman

46


Milkbar shopfront. Springvale Road, Nunawading.

Photo: David Marks

47

Photography shop closing down. Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Photo: David Marks

48

Fruit juice vendor, Damascus. 2006.

Photo: June Orford


49

Donkey in bazaar. Aleppo, Syria. 2006.

Photo: Francis Reiss

50


One of many cosmetic shops in the souq, Aleppo, Syria. 2006.

Photo: June Orford

51

Built in 1934, this shop has been a barber shop since 1960. Barber Steve Richards has been plying his trade there since 1999. Steve is the fifth barber to occupy the premises. Mitcham, VIC.

Photo: Noel Butcher

52


Paint shop business in the process of closing down. Stanmore, NSW. 2010.


53

A closed business. Annandale, NSW. 2011.


54


Shop window. Peterborough, SA. Dec 2012.


55

Deserted shop front. Western Hwy, Kiata, VIC. June 2012.


56


Photo: Jim McFarlane

57

Photo: Jim McFarlane

58

IN DEVELOPMENT

NATHALIA As part of Beyond Reasonable Drought’s visit to Nathalia and

Mildura, Dale Mann conducted masterclasses in documentary

photography. Armed with their cameras, local photographic

enthusiasts ventured out to record Nathalia’s daily life.

The Nathalia photographers went out and shot new work

and combed through their archives to find this remarkable

series of images which can be seen on the MoAD and MAP

websites. Inspired with their photographic results, they formed

a group called NIP (Nathalia Inspirational Photographers),

organised a number of workshops and lectures on still

and video, and held their first big event on 7 June called

Picture Nathalia. This exhibition included Dale’s own work

on Nathalia, the work of the community photographers and

the world premier of Mark Street’s documentary Nathalia

– Art of the Possible (ABC television), about art and the

Nathalia community.

Photo: Dale Mann

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Elvie Barnes

Estelle Chalker

Heather Henderson

Di Huber

Madeleine Keil

Averill Kennedy

Tanya Knight

Sue Logie

Stan Lowe

Judy Ormond

Rosemary Robins

Michelle Ryan

Olive Sage

Philippa Schapper CONTACT

Dale Mann – mapgroup.org.au

59

IN DEVELOPMENT

Cows on the fence line. Photo: Elvie Barnes

Sun rising in the east. Photo: Estelle Chalker

60

IN DEVELOPMENT NATHALIA

Rainbow over the farm. Photo: Heather Henderson

Barmah forest magic. Photo: Averill Kennedy

61

Fragility. Photo: Stan Lowe

Old trucks. Photo: Rosemary Robins

62


Early morning fog. Photo: Di Huber

Frosted web. Photo: Tanya Knight

63

Old house along Broken Creek. Photo: Madeleine Keil

Drumstick plant. Photo: Sue Logie

64


Water fight. Photo: Michelle Ryan

Autumn burn off. Photo: Olive Sage

65

Nathalia Wildflower Group. Photo: Judy Ormond

The unexpected. Photo: Philippa Schapper

66

IN FOCUS

In 1994, I was living in London with my

boyfriend Colin (now my husband). I had

known for a few years that I wanted to be a

photographer, and had been taking photos

of bands and working in the photo library of

well-known rock photographer George Chin.

I had finally decided on how and where to

study photography and a technical college

was the way to go for me. It was at this

time that my sister, who was a pilot flying

in the Okavango Delta in Maun, Botswana,

passed away. En route to attend the funeral,

Above. Down South – Bill Storer 2010. Radio operator and postmaster on Macquarie Island, 1951. Mawson, 1954.

Right. Mother and child. Botswana. 1994.

Photos: Susan Gordon-Brown

Susan Gordon-Brown

Susan Gordon-Brown has over two decades of photography experience, working at

a national and international level. Prior to settling in Melbourne in 2000, Susan lived

and worked in London for 10 years, where she studied photography at the City of

Westminster College.

67

IN FOCUS SUSAN GORDON-BROWNsusangordonbrown.com.au

68

IN FOCUS SUSAN GORDON-BROWN

I remember filling out the application forms for photography

college whilst waiting at Heathrow airport. The application

was due, and even though I was at the lowest point in my life,

I filled out the forms and Colin sent them off for me.

I had taken my camera away with me more out of habit

than anything. Across the road from where I was staying in

Maun was a village with people living in huts made of sticks

and mud. I took a walk across to this village. This woman

appeared with her three children and asked me to take her

photo. She was beautiful. I took about 6 frames of b&w film

and took down her address.

Back in London, I developed and printed the shots.

I broke down at my interview for college when describing

where I took the photo and it still remains one of my favourite

portraits. I sent the prints to a friend in Maun and he hand

delivered them for me. He said the mother cried with joy

when she saw the prints. I couldn’t believe photographs

could be so powerful.

I started college in 1994 and the opportunities in London

were amazing. In my first year at college I photographed

Memory Project – Ajak Kwai. 2009.


40 Days – Thel Thong. 2009.


69

James Burton, one of Elvis Presley’s guitarists, for Guitarist

magazine. Then I got jobs assisting other photographers.

From my enthusiasm and willingness to accept assignments,

I got to photograph BB King, Bill Cosby and others at the

Royal Albert Hall, the Reading festival for Doc Martens,

Stephen King for Times online and many other great jobs.

In 1999 I realised that despite all the great opportunities,

I wanted to live in Australia and in 2000 Colin and I moved

to Melbourne. Work was much harder to find but I loved

living in Melbourne and still do. The first studio I worked in

was in Richmond, it was great but photography appeared

to be just ‘work’ for most people there, unlike the way things

were in London. It made me give up on photography and

I enrolled in a course to study the environment. Then I met

Andrew Chapman! Someone who was and still is passionate

about photography and so encouraging. Through him

and the environmental photos I was taking for my course,

I rediscovered my love of photography. It wasn’t just ‘work’.

I continue to challenge myself with my own projects

which I create and exhibit. In 2006 I worked on 56 Faces,

Vietnam Vet – Chillie Bob. 2012.


As a companion project of

Behind the Wire, the exhibition

Support from the Sky:

Veterans, Choppers and the

Vietnam War will open on

16 Nov 2013, until 26 Jan 2014

at the National Vietnam Veterans

Museum, Phillip Island, VIC.

70

IN FOCUS SUSAN GORDON-BROWN

a project about Hungarians who came to Australia after the

1956 uprising, which led me to produce similar exhibitions.

40 Days was an exploration of cultural and religious practices

of contemporary Australia. Down South profiled Australian

tradies in Antarctica. And inspired by a chance meeting with

some Vietnam Vets at Box Hill RSL, I am working on Behind

the Wire: Images and Stories of Vietnam Veterans. Planned to

be completed in 2014, I hope to tour the exhibition nationally.

With the newly formed MAPgroup I got involved in two

documentary projects, Making Hay and Beyond Reasonable

Drought. As freelancers we are a solitary being, but MAPgroup

helps us to connect with others who share our love of

photography. I am constantly inspired by the work produced

by MAPgroup members and have made good friends there.

This page, clockwise from left.

56 Faces – Frank Szalay. 2005.

Peter Corlett – Working on his sculpture of Sir Charles La Trobe. 2006.

Meridian Sculpture Foundry. 2006.

Right. Anzac Day 2013. Tyrie Kovco honours his father Private Jake Kovco who was Australia’s first fatal casualty in the Iraq conflict.

Photos: Susan Gordon-Brown

72

MAPOF

F T

HE

Photo: Alan Attwood

73

President: Jaime Murcia

jaimemurcia.com

Vice President: Julie Bowyer

jabphotographics.com.au

Secretary: Brent Lukey

brentlukey.com.au

Treasurer: Joseph Feil

josephfeil.com

Fundraising/Sponsorship:

Susan Gordon-Brown

susangordonbrown.com.au

Rodney Dekker

rodneydekker.com

Michael Silver

photonet.com.au

General enquiries: [email protected]

MAP Group Inc. 93 Howard Street, North Melbourne, VIC 3051

mapgroup.org.auFor membership of MAPgroup, check website for details.

To contact individual photographers about their images,

please use the contact details on the Members page

on the website.

Contact

On the MAP is published for MAPgroup by Anna Wolf.

All text and images – Copyright MAP Group Inc. 2013.

74 map

grou

p.o

rg.a

u

On The Map. 2 Sep 2013

Documents

Transcript of On The Map. 2 Sep 2013