Benalla Art Gallery showcasing local photography and world-class workshops

By Contributed

Aug 3, 2023

A nightly projection display and events at Benalla Art Gallery will focus on local photography this August in celebration of World Photography Day.

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This is an annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science and history of photography.

The next World Photography Day will take place on Saturday, August 19, and in the lead-up to the day, Benalla Art Gallery has brought local photography into focus through a series of events and displays.

On Saturday, August 5, local photographers Victoria Cooper and Doug Spowart hosted a workshop exploring digital photography for beginners as part of the gallery’s regular ‘Art on Saturdays’ program.

Colourful: Warrenbayne sunset by Mark Tylinski. Photo by Contributed

The workshop demonstrated the things that make a difference in capturing good photographs such as best lighting for various subjects, composition, and tips for common genres such as portraits, landscapes, and close-up shots.

Ms Cooper and Ms Spowart then returned to present a ‘First Mondays’ talk on Monday, August 7.

Scenery: Bangtail Mountain by Kerry McFarlane. Photo by Contributed

The talk explored their photographic practice, which traverses themes, both personal and political, in the investigation and representation of ‘site’ and ‘place’ in the Australian landscape.

Much of this work was created in response to the historical and contemporary changes to our place in the landscape and the philosophical concept of solastalgia.

As opposed to nostalgia, this is the melancholia or homesickness experienced by individuals when separated from a loved home.

Picturesque: River by Susan Thompson. Photo by Contributed

Solastalgia is the distress that is produced by environmental change impacting on people while they are directly connected to their home environment.

From this the pair created work through artists-in-residences and commissions in places across Eastern Australia including Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon, Muswellbrook, Myall Park Botanic Garden in central southern Queensland and Mildura.

Reflective: Ashmeads Swamp Sunset by Glenda Black. Photo by Contributed

Throughout the month of August, Benalla Art Gallery will celebrate the work of members of the Benalla Camera Club, with a curated selection of photographs presented each night on the gallery’s outdoor projection facade.

The display, titled Natural Beauty, showcase flora, fauna, and landscapes from across the region.

Artists featured include Cath Duncombe, Glenda Black, Helen Repacholi, Joe Bourke, John Barry, Judy Barry, Ken Jenkins, Kerry McFarlane, Maggie Hollins, Mark Tylinski, Michael Black, Mike Bourke, Mike O’Connor, Patience Cooper, Rene Martens, and Susan Thompson.