Category: Uncategorized

The two leading ladies of Australian theatre and cabaret are at it again. Firstly, it was ABBA-SOLUTELY FABULOUS. You may remember……

It is always a pleasure to work with these talented woman of the entertainment world. There’s no stopping Rhonda and Lara’s comic wit and sense of good fun which they freely share with all. They have a new show called “Partners in Crime” and they will be touring nationally.

Doing the photography has given me a glimpse of what’s in store and I can tell you it will be hysterical. Thanks to talents of James Carroll for the design work on the poster.

Go to: www.rhondaburchmore.com to see the venues and dates and BOOK IN quickly for a fabulous night out.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

How exciting….I been selected as a semi-finalist in the Head On Photo Awards 2019.

The image will be projected on screen with other semi-finalist’s images at the Paddington Town Hall between 4 May – 19 May, 2019.

Artist Statement:

As part of my investigation into stereotypes and identity I photographed Jaden, a young Aboriginal man of the Wiradjuri Nation, dressed in middle eastern clothing.  With Jaden’s consent, I then draped him in an Aboriginal flag as a symbol of how he identifies.  Afterwards when I showed this photograph to a group of white middle class Australians, I asked them if they thought this was a portrait of an Arab man.  Most thought it was.  I replied, “He’s not an Arab but can you tell me how he identifies?  There’s an obvious clue, it’s draped over his head”.  I am left puzzled that most people still don’t see it.

I made a trip down to Victoria over the Easter break. My family hail from the dry, flat region of the Wimmera Mallee and I joined my sister and brother on a small farm at the foot of the Grampian mountain range, near the village of Dadswells Bridge.

Here a few images from the trip……

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I went to the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Williamstown in Melbourne……..

• 

• 

• 

I recently photographed the completed refurbishment of several facilities at Macquarie University. An entire fit-out was executed in the buildings of the International College, including testing rooms at the English Language College.

It was a thrill to photograph this project. Prime Constructions meticulously implemented the designs of Marc Oberhauser of Gardner Wetherill and Associates, the architect.

If only design was this good when I was at University all those years ago…..

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

On Sunday I woke up to the sad news that Ron Austin had passed away on the weekend at the age of 90.

Ron was a gay rights activist and a member of the legendary 78’ers. He played a major role in the beginnings of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which took place in 1978 after his famous words, “Why don’t we have a street party?” The rest is history.

I had the pleasure of working with this humble, joyous man in 2012. Ron was one of the portrait models I photographed in a celebratory mood as part of the 2012 Mardi Gras promotional campaign.

RIP Ron Austin

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I recently spent a very busy and rewarding day at the ACON headquarters near Sydney’s Central Station, taking proud and confident portraits of some of the members of our trans and gender diverse community in an informal, temporary studio on the third floor. The single portraits and group shots of Riri, Brielle, Te, Andrew, Peta, Sage, Emily, Farren and more than 30 other models are being published as part of an important document and campaign aimed at improving health issues for this particular group of our fellow human beings.

It is an uplifting and joyful experience to be able to photograph a group of socially-aware, ground-breaking people from such diverse backgrounds. The open-hearted, positive campaign initiated by ACON is so powerful that several of the models decided they would allow themselves to be professionally photographed for the very first time. I am very proud to be part of this process.

The new health strategy released by ACON aims to address key health issues and barriers experienced by trans and gender diverse (TGD) people. It was launched in April at Parliament House. The landmark “Blueprint for Improving the Health & Wellbeing of the Trans & Gender Diverse Community in NSW” provides a detailed overview of the health issues facing TGD people, and outlines key priority action areas that need to be addressed and implemented to ensure their health and wellbeing. To view the blueprint go to: acon.org.au

• 

• 

• 

Two of my portraits have been included in the show “photo + illuminate + paint” at the Zed Gallery in Glebe, an artist run space that mixes visuals with music. The exhibition will run through April with my portrait of Obed (from my “Spot the Arab” series) and a work called “One Nation”, addressing the bizarre nature of politics today.

Artist Statement:  Obed Karwhin is a sportsman who hopes to become the first full-blooded African rugby league star to play professionally in Australia. Training with the Redcliffe Dolphins, it’s a far cry from the horrors of civil war and escaping as a refugee to Guinea.

This work is part of my series entitled, “Spot the Arab” an ongoing series investigating contemporary concepts of stigma and discrimination in our society.  I created a portrait of Obed dressed in Middle Eastern clothing and asked him if he identified as Arab or not. The challenge for the viewer is to decide for themselves how Obed has responded to the question.

One Eyed Man Production’s latest conquest is Monty Python’s “Spamalot” (book and lyrics by Eric Idle, Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle) at the Hayes Theatre in Potts Point. I worked on a series of new production shots in Sydney.

It was an absolutely a fun gig to shoot and it kept me on my toes the entire performance, with actors entering and exiting from all directions.

I was given the opportunity to be part of the audience to see the show on opening night a few days later. I loved every minute of the silliness and antics on stage.

Spamalot is now showing at the Hayes Theatre in Potts Point. Book tickets!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT

Book & lyrics by Eric Idle, Music by John du Prez and Eric Idle

A new musical lovingly ripped off from the Motion Picture
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Presented by One Eyed Man Productions in association with Hayes Theatre

Director Richard Carroll
Choreographer Cameron Mitchell
Musical Supervisor Conrad Hamill
Designer Emma Vine
Lighting Designer Katie Sfetkidis
Associate Producer Michelle Guthrie
Production Manager Carl McKinnon
Stage Manager Gayda de Mesa
Assistant Stage Manager Bronte MacInnes

Cast includes Marty Alix, Blake Appelqvist, Cramer Cain, Rob Johnson, Josie Lane, Aaron Tsindos, Bishanyia Vincent and Jane Watt

From the lunatics who brought you Calamity Jane

Click here to book ticket for Spamalot

I made new portraits of Obed Karwhin and his brother, Samuel. Obed is a sportsman who hopes to become the first full-blooded African rugby league star to play professionally in Australia. I wish him all the best in his sporting career.

I also worked with Leigh Pritchard on shots for his modelling portfolio.

• 

• 

The end of the year was a busy time for MaisonNets, a rapidly expanding company which manages short term rental stays on the east coast of Australia.

Here is a small selection of some of the interiors of their beautiful homes in Neutral Bay, Potts Point, Cromer, Leichhardt and Surry Hills.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The well known personal jeweller, Adrian Dickens has produced his annual catalogue and once again I had the pleasure of working with him on the 2019 edition.

If you would like more information on Circa AD and Adrian Dickens’ designs, click on the link below:

Circa AD Jewels

I have recently completed new portrait sittings for my ongoing series, “Spot the Arab”, during my travel in Malta, Italy and Australia. Further exhibitions on this theme are underway.

Click for more information on “Spot the Arab”

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

From the series, “Spot the Arab”, 2018. Davide, Malta; Rose, Gozo; David, Malta; Bhavna, Sydney; David, Malta; and Bhavna II, Sydney.

Hansen Yuncken, the largest privately owned construction company in Australia, is progressively up-dating its corporate head shots. The feel for these portraits is relaxed and at ease with a clean and fresh look. I kept the backgrounds as neutral as possible and slightly out-of-focus.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I am currently visiting the lovely state of Victoria, for my current exhibition called “Spot the Arab” (see further down, earlier blog entry) at Backspace Gallery, Ballarat.

My hosts thought I should experience diverse local culture on the weekend by visiting Daylesford, a small town north-east of Ballarat.  I did!  The following images are a collection of shots I took on Sunday morning, during the Chill Out Festival Parade down the main street of Daylesford. 

The Chill Out Festival takes place over the Labour Day long weekend. The festival attracts 25,000 visitors with an estimated economic benefit of around $10 million.  When the Springs Connection – a group of lesbian and gay business people in the regional town of Daylesford, Victoria – first got together to plan a local LGBTQI festival in 1997, they had no idea just how successful it would become. Celebrating its 21st birthday this year, it’s not only the largest annual celebration in Hepburn Shire, but also the biggest queer country pride event in Australia.

Every year I photograph Matthew Mitcham, Australia’s gold-medal Olympic diver, award-winning cabaret performer and television entertainer, in my studio.

Each portrait is taken under similar conditions.  In a sense these portraits are snapshots of the relationship between photographer and artist’s muse and they continue to track the development of this young man. 

MMXVII marks the 10th portrait and the 10th year of this ongoing series.  That’s a decade!

 

Hi,

I wish everyone a really successful and fun filled 2018.

 

Well I’ve made a few of those “New Year Resolutions”….one of them is to be more active on this blog and on social media.   I petered out somewhat towards the end of last year, but I am picking up the ball again and here’s to a more regular blog entry.

 

In fact, I am very positive about this year.  It’s going to be a good one….I feel it in my waters (don’t you hate that expression?).   I am looking forward to working again with my fantastic clients and to see what surprises are in store, what we can create together this year.  New clients I haven’t worked with yet….I look forward to meeting you.

 

 

Matt struts “the boards” again with his new show, “Under the Covers”.

These days, Matt has traded the diving board for another kind of “board”, the boards of the stage, as they say.  I had the pleasure of shooting some production shots at the dress rehearsal and performance of the latest addition to his cabaret repertoire.

Under the Covers has been created by the same team who devised Matthew’s previous multi-award-winning musical comedy, Twists & Turns, namely Matthew together with award-winning director Nigel Turner-Carroll and international cabaret sensation Spanky (aka Rhys Morgan), with accompaniment by Matthew Ogle.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself while shooting this brand new, sparkling, feel-good production.  Matt’s talent is seemingly limitless.  At times, it was difficult to keep focus on the job at hand. I found myself caught up in the jokes, the songs, the clever parody between the two main protagonists and the general infectious sense of fun.  

However…. I concentrated on getting the shots and decided to return another time to sit back and be entertained as one of the punters in the seats.

Here are some of the shots taken at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney in mid-September. If you want a good night out, check the performance schedule, and go to see Under the Covers. It will put a smile on your face.

Behind the scenes in the dressing room before the show……..

UNDER THE COVERS 

Written by Matthew Mitcham and Nigel Turner-Carroll

Director –  Nigel Turner-Carroll

Musical Director –  Andrew Bevis

Choreographer –  Holl Sheils

Lighting Designer –  Kym Halpin

Production Manager –  Lachlan Fletcher

Performed by –  Matthew Mitcham, Matthew Ogle, Rhys Morgan