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Under A Southern Star
Identity and Environment in Australian Photography
“In revealing these histories, the consequences of the colonial are revealed….”
–Glenn Iseger-Pilkington
As one of the most diverse, multicultural countries in the world today, Australia is a place where artists examine their past to find their future. Urgently navigating their post-colonial history with a desire to respect and reconcile Indigenous, Anglo-European, Asian and other cultures, Australian artists explore questions of identity and belonging in the context of an increasingly ecologically fragile continent. These challenging circumstances have given rise to some of the most exciting and meaningful contemporary photography anywhere.
Inspired by the Peter Farrell Australian Photography Collection at the Museum of Photographic Art, San Diego, the exhibition combines iconic images from Australia’s photographic history with powerful work by eleven internationally renowned Australian contemporary artists. “Under a Southern Star” navigates the cultural collision between the “Old World” of Europe and the so-called “New World” of Terra Australis, illustrating changing views of Australian identity, and confronting omissions.
Over a span of nearly 150 years, the baton of well-known historic Australian photographs by famous artists such as John Lindt, Harold Cazneaux, Olive Cotton, Max Dupain and David Moore is picked up in the late 20th century by Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt, Roger Scott, Anne Zahalka and Rosemary Laing. Contemporary image-makers such as Michael Cook, Judith Nangala Crispin, Trent Parke, Polixeni Papapetrou, Ricky Maynard, Vee Speers and Justine Varga further the artistic conversation surrounding identity and environment.
Meanwhile, antiquated ideas of Australian identity as white, independent, and stoically masculine are variously challenged. For example, the exhibition includes a variety of portraits of Aboriginal Australians, re-affirming their centrality to Australia’s pre-European and its post-colonial history. In addition, Vee Speers references Australia’s convict past in her Guity Not Guilty series, by altering minor criminal mug shots to give them a new likeness and story by which we become the judge of their innocence or guilt.
Comprised of a diverse array of visually-striking techniques – solarization, digitally altered photo tableaux, daguerreotypes, inscribed Polaroids and street portraits taken on grainy 35mm film among others – the juxtaposition of historical and contemporary photography included in the exhibition allows visitors to follow the medium’s evolution while providing critical insight into Australia’s cultural history.
Educational themes include indigenous culture and cultural identity, migration and colonialism, nationhood and environment.
WORKS
+/-74 framed works and 1 digital video
DIMENSIONS
94.92 x 50.03 in to 20.23 x 16.22 in
(241.1 x 127.1 cm to 51.4 x 41.2 cm)
SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Up to 525 linear ft (175 linear m)
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
Curator available for lectures and panel discussions
INQUIRIES
exhibitions@curatorial.org
626.577.0044
FEE
Please inquire
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Princeton University Art Museum | Princeton, New Jersey
(August 17, 2024 – January 5, 2025)
Display Preview for Vee Speers, Guilty Not Guilty
CURATORS BIOGRAPHIES
Deborah Klochko has been the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Photographic Arts since 2006. She has taught, lectured and written extensively on photography and has curated more than 30 exhibitions throughout her career.
Graham Howe, founder and CEO of Curatorial Exhibitions
Ashley Lumb, independent curator
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Michael Cook, Rosemary Laing, Ricky Maynard, Tracey Moffatt, Judith Nangala Crispin, Polexeni Papapetrou, Trent Parke, Vee Speers, Tobias Titz, Justine Varga, Anne Zahalka
CREDIT
This exhibition was originated by the Museum of Photographic Art, San Diego.
SUPPORT
EXHIBITION CHECKLIST
RELATED PUBLICATION
Defining Place / Space: Contemporary Photography from Australia
(Museum of Photographic Arts, 2019)
Dimensions: 10.25"x10.25"
Hardcover: 104 Pages
ISBN: 9780999192429
REVIEWS
Inside Imaging, March 8, 2019
IRK MAGAZINE, Mia MacFarlane, April 10, 2019