“Directors of Photography – Personal Works” Exhibition
Blown Away in Queensland
After checking the weather updates online before flying up to Queensland, I proceeded to remove my cute but modest bikini, tank tops and dresses and replace them with thermals, jeans and lace up shoes. So like the howling south-westerly my husband and I blew into the Gold Coast for the ‘Directors of Photography – Personal Works’ exhibition, held at the Gallery on the Lane in Southport.
The weather was not kind to us as we braved a leisurely walk along the beach, grimacing while our faces copped a sandblasting – not one of the listed beauty treatments on offer in the brochure – but nonetheless we were there, and not going to be deterred.
The wind was not as bad off the beach, but still chilly enough not to warrant short sleeves. This of course was not the case for most who were wandering down the foreshore. My heart went out to the popsicles, otherwise known as the Meter Maids, in their little gold lame bikinis, too scared to put on the short crop gold jackets hanging over their arms in case they filled with air and blew them off their stilettos and down to the waterfront. I voiced my concern for their well-being, and my husband said that they looked hot to him. He walked with a limp for a few-hundred metres.
Meandering through the ever-present skyscrapers that we are not used to, as, being from Adelaide, we only have 1 skyscraper with a number of civilised taller buildings surrounding it, we were treated to the local sights and sounds: fly-away balloon animals, floating fairy floss and the soothing sounds of flapping flags, palm leaves and banners.
Both my husband and I have not travelled hugely across our wide brown land and so are always impressed, amazed and horrified at Australia’s other states’ traditions and local quirks. We were impressed with the definite holiday feel to the coast, we were amazed, if not dumbstruck, by the height and number of skyscrapers, and my husband was horrified when not only did he not find a Farmers Union Ice Coffee in any of the display fridges at the cafes, but at most places when he asked if they made iced coffees, they simply looked at him blankly. One kind helpful lad suggested he could “chuck some ice” in a coffee for him if he liked…..Andrew didn’t like!
But I digress; the real reason for our trip was to attend the aforementioned ‘Directors of Photography – Personal Works’ Exhibition. The premiere opening was on the 10th of September and the public opening on the 17th of September.
There are 15 Cinematographers exhibiting and I just happen to be lucky enough to be one of them, a truly humbling opportunity. Fellow exhibitors include, Don McAlpine ACS ASC, Ron Johanson ACS, Ben Nott ACS, John Stokes ACS, Nino Martinetti ACS, Jeff Mygatt (US Guest), Jon Cassar (US Guest), Mike Molloy BSC ACS, Philip M Cross ACS, Matt Stewart ACS, Nicola Daley, Allan Collins ACS, John Ogden ACS, Andrew Condor ACS and Simon Christidis ACS.
The event also celebrated the launch of ‘Gallery on the Lane’ located in Southport. The event was organised by the gallery owners, Gareth Price and Nicola Parsons, and hats off to the two of them for all their efforts, as it truly paid off. The turnout was huge, with most of the Cinematographers and their families attending, as well as the cast of Terra Nova.
The crowd spilled out onto the mall, and getting in to even see the works was a challenge worth waiting for. Having said that, the space is a great size when not filled to the brim with eager viewers. Also out the back of the Gallery is ‘Studio on the Lane,’ a photographic studio that is available for hire. Canadian Kitchen whipped up platters of delicious treats for the hordes of people and the bubbly was flowing freely.
So much thanks to both Leigh Christensen from Kodak for supplying the gorgeous paper stock and Paul Gilbert from RGB Digital for coming on board with the printing and mounting of all the cinematographers’ works. They truly looked absolutely amazing.
I have never had the chance to use metallic paper and I must say the images absolutely pop off the paper, almost creating a 3D effect, I would say that all of the exhibitors were over the moon with the printing, mounting and presentation of their works. The paper used was Kodak Professional Endura Metallic VC Digital Paper. More information about it can be found here:
Big thanks also to Martin Cayzer, Paul Jackson, and Simon Purton from Panavision for sponsoring the event, along with Peter Cocklin and Paul Culity from Kodak, the Australian Cinematographers Society, and Sirromet Wines.
But most of the thanks must go to Gareth and Nicola whose tireless efforts in getting the show up and running really paid off. If it wasn’t for their constant emails back and forth reminding us to get our works in and for then hanging the event with the very talented Katie Clifton, the pure white bland walls would have needed about 2 stops of ND to reduce the glare in the eyes of those attending.
The exhibition will run until the 1st of November, and opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. It will then travel to Sydney, where it will be hanging in the ACS Headquarters. We will keep you posted regarding dates and times.
If you happen to see a photograph at the exhibition that you just must have, then please chat to Nicola Parsons via email – [email protected] – or give her a tingle on 0468 992 526. Nicola is also the one to chat to about the studio space and its availability.
JoAnne Bouzianis-Sellick
