Sydney Now - New Australian Photojournalism

Sydney now

New Australian photojournalism

Exhibition at Museum of Sydney 15 December 2007� 27 April 2008

Photojournalists may be said to be taking the temperature of our times: reflecting our lifestyles and concerns, our motivations, aspirations, dreams and everyday realities.

From 15 December, the Museum of Sydney presents Sydney now: new Australian photojournalism, a photographic exhibition and book featuring some of the best photojournalism of Sydney and Sydneysiders made since the year 2000.

Inara Walden, curator of the exhibition and editor of the book says, �Sydney now brings together fresh new work by some of the most exciting photojournalists working in Sydney. Twenty-four photographers have been included, providing a vivid portrait of contemporary Sydney life.

�In this age of internet culture, images saturate our daily lives. And as the visual literacy of our population increases, we�ve seen mounting interest in the work of professional photojournalists and what they are able to show or tell us about ourselves and our society. The focus of Sydney now is on everyday life and ordinary people � images that are often overlooked in the mainstream media.

�Traditionally when we think of photojournalism, we think of pictures made in other places � of natural disasters and war zones in foreign climes or images made at high profile sporting events. Today a new generation of photojournalists are placing the same emphasis on documenting everyday life in our own society � not just poverty and the pain, though some of that is there, but also the energy, diversity and wonder that�s to be found in everyday lived experience,� says Walden.

Highlights of Sydney now include Trent Parke�s epic representations of Sydney's business heart, Dean Sewell�s images of vibrant inner-city Newtown, the contrasting spaciousness of western Sydney, and the red-brick flats that march down the streets of Hillsdale in the city�s east. Narelle Autio finds wonder in everyday experience, with her depiction of a small angel climbing into the back seat of a Sydney taxi; and her frozen underwater world of surf-pummeled swimmers. Other highlights include Steven Siewert�s ecstatic young worshippers at a Hillsong service, Peter Solness' glowing sunset renditions of Aboriginal engravings at Bondi and Bundeena, and Tamara Dean's shot of a12 year old Iraqi migrant�s first swim at Brighton le Sands on new year's day. Andrew Quilty depicts the ugliness of mob violence at Cronulla, while Nick Cubbin creates unusual, slightly ominous visions of Sydney�s harbour icons.

Inara Walden is a curator at the Museum of Sydney. A specialist in the social and cultural history of Sydney, she is particularly interested in the power of photography to inspire and inform us about social issues. Inara has previously curated Speakers corner (2006), Rex & Max Dupain�s Sydney (2004) Drugs: a social history (2003), Thoroughly modern Sydney: 1920s & 30s glamour & style (2006) with co-curator Howard Tanner.

The book Sydney now with essays by Inara Walden and Robert McFarlane is published by The Historic Houses Trust and available at the Museum of Sydney shop and all good book shops. RRP $45

Where: Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House, cnr Bridge & Phillip Streets, Sydney

When: 15 December 2007 � 27 April 2008, open daily 9.30am � 5pm

Cost: General $10 Concession $5 Family $20

Enquiries: Museum of Sydney T 02 9251 5988 or visit www.hht.net.au

source : nikon.com.au