Friday Round Up - 23 August

This week on Friday Round Up a new book by Rennie Ellis, Paul Batt's exhibition opens in Melbourne, Ballarat International Foto Biennale's opening weekend, Oculi Collective, new articles in Pro Photo and more. Have a great weekend wherever you are.

Book:
Rennie Ellis – DECADE 1970-1980

This long awaited publication from one of Australia’s most celebrated social commentary photographers was launched in Melbourne last Tuesday at Mossgreen Gallery, South Yarra. Many of Ellis’ contemporaries packed the Gallery to hear filmmaker Paul Cox share tales of his friendship with Ellis. Susan van Wyk, Senior Curator of Photography, at the National Gallery of Victoria also spoke of Ellis’ contribution to the genre.


(C) Rennie Ellis

The collection of images in DECADE captures the dichotomy of 1970s Australia and the black and white images reflect a period of creative exploration and cultural anarchy. Published by Hardie Grant Books in association with the State Library of Victoria, DECADE 1970-1980 is available in bookstores nationally and online.

Festival
Ballarat International Foto Biennale
Last weekend the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) kicked off its fifth installment amidst the wildest winter weather Victoria has seen this year. Yet the gale force winds and biting cold didn’t deter hundreds from turning out for the opening weekend where the red wine flowed and photography lovers feasted on a truly brilliant showcase of exhibitions. Here are a few photographs that encapsulate the opening weekend courtesy of Marty Williams. 

Elisabeth Zeilon, Sweden with her exhibition Passion Paris


Erika Diettes, Colombia with her exhibition Sudarios (Shrouds)


Festival Director Jeff Moorfoot


Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Alison Stieven-Taylor


Photographers Michael Coyne (L) and Philip Quirk


Filmmaker Paul Cox launches the John Cato Retrospective


Youngho Kang with on of his self-portraits from 99 Variations

Congratulations to Festival Director Jeff Moorfoot and his fantastic team for pulling together a diverse collection of exhibitions. There are core programme and fringe exhibitions to enjoy. Download the programme here. On until 15 September.

Articles:
Pro Photo Magazine – Head On & Reportage
My reviews on Sydney's Head On Photo Festival and Reportage Documentary Photography Festival feature in the current issue of Pro Photo magazine out now.

Exhibition:
Paul Batt – A Single Line
Melbourne photographer Paul Batt’s exhibition, A Single Line (Untitled China series 2012) is currently showing at Edmund Pearce Gallery in Melbourne. Batt says of his project, that it is “a photographic investigation of China's rapidly altering landscape. The intention of the series is to explore the Chinese people's tentative shift from a communist to a capitalist system, as seen through the resource hungry push to modernise the countries rural and urban environments”.










(C) All images Paul Batt

Until 7 September
Edmund Pearce
Level 2, Nicholas Building
37 Swanston Street
Melbourne
Wed-Sat 11am-5pm

Photographic Collective
Oculi - Australia

(C) Lee Grant Seoul, Korea

Oculi counts in its membership a number of contemporary Australian photographers including several whose work has featured on this blog -- Lee Grant, Claire Martin, Nick Moir and Andrew Quilty. You can check out the other members and view their work on the Oculi website. Each month Oculi features a slideshow of its members’ work. Check out August’s offering here.

Award
5th Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award

This is one of the richest awards in the industry with a grant of 50,000 Euro to fund a reportage project on a specific topic. This year the theme is Iran. Deadline is September 30. Click here for entry details.