From Shanghai I found myself 4 days in Sydney….before I flew off to NYC
So the last 5 weeks I have been working and enjoying the Big Apple with a quick trip to London in between.
Here are some shots of this wonderful city……..
Shanghai – Update!
Hello Hello,
Well another week has passed! And boy, did it pass quickly. I am now on the home stretch with only little more than a week to go.
The teaching classes have been fantastic, with the kids moving well in terms of their understanding of photography and their willingness to take risks and find out what they can do.
We plan to have a small exhibition at the end of the week and invite all the parents into the centre for a bit of a look and some nibbles. That’s going to put a bit of pressure on the interpreter. LOL.
When we’re not in the class situation our time is spent traveling around to the various galleries and exhibitions that are on in Shanghai at the moment. The art scene here seems very vibrant and relatively open. I have seen some brilliant work here by various artists and marvel at the relative freedom these guys have to pursue their work. Firstly, they seem to take enormous risks in terms of what they are willing to pursue….many of them change style and subject as they would change their clothes, allowing themselves the freedom to pursue new ideas without considering how the market will respond. I like this approach. You may say that these Chinese artists have less of a free voice, with censorship present on every level of Chinese society……however, I seem to think this small barrier to absolute freedom of speech is surmounted easily and confidently by the artists who’s work I have seen, by innuendo, satire and irony. The censorship merely forces the artists to become more creative and subtle in the way they approach the subject or comment they wish to make….the comment is still made! Secondly, with China’s amazing industrial might, the artists here have access to materials and labour that may have been prohibitive to other artists elsewhere. They can also not limited by scale.
Arts Can Do – Shanghai
Well…..It’s been a while since my last post. However, I am writing from Shanghai!
What a blast this place is, just what the doctor ordered for a change of scenery and what a change of scenery.
I am here on an art residency program sponsored by ACAF (The Australia China Art Foundation), based in Melbourne and Shanghai and run by a wonderfully inspired Chinese lady called Yashian Shauble. I am over here in Shanghai for one month and I am teaching photography to disadvantaged kids and 3 different schools.
So for I am loving it! The children, as you can well imagine, are amazing. Even though it is, at times, exhausting working with young kids, they take so much……but they also give back so much more. This exchange is beautiful and you never really mind. Although, I don’t think I have the stamina to have chosen teaching as a profession. I have a lot more respect for those worthy professionals now!!
Below are some shots of various classes. I’ll keep posting as I go along. This will be the first post of many….or so I intend! LOL
Trust Matt Mitcham……
Trust Matt to find an unconventional, more “creative” way of displaying his medal tally at the recent Commonwealth Games.
Matthew Mitcham and Medals
Matt Mitcham dropped in to my studio the other night…..in hand was his latest stash of medals. The best one was the gold, of course and Matt was deservedly happy and proud of his achievements. I decided to snap a few shots……..
Looking good! Congratulations Matt!
Jerusalem
“If I am not for myself who is for me? And being for my own self, what am ‘I’? And if not now, when?” Hillel 110BCE – 10CE
Shooting on the Sails of the Opera House
There I am, right up there with camera in hand! Finally, got the thrill of shooting Courtney Act (Global Ambassador for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras) perched on the highest sail of the Opera House. Amazing experience! With limited time and tight technical restrictions you were more concentrated on getting the shot than taking in the remarkable view. However, it will be something I’ll remember for a long time to come. Courtney was the consummate professional and, as always, a joy to work with. Thanks to everyone involved in making the shoot happen, particularly the amazing staff at the Opera House for pulling all stops out to facilitate the shoot.
On the Sails of the Opera House
I had the best start to the morning, this morning.
I had to be at the stage door of the Opera House at 6.30am. Myself and a couple of comrades prepared ourselves for an exceptional climb. We were to view the location of a proposed shoot.
After weaving our bodies through the internal structure of one of the sails and along it’s spine, we squeezed through the last trapdoor to ascend upon the highest sail of the Opera House. As you climb out, the view almost takes your breath away.
It took a couple of minutes for the realisation that, “I’m on top of the sail of the Opera house…..outside!”, to sink in. How fabulous!!
Here’s a shot (below). I can’t wait for the shoot date!
“Manage” à Trois
Following on from the last blog entry….here’s the final result. David Rhys and Jeremy are cleverly rendered into poster format by the talented Richard Hughes (Designer)
Someone tell Caroline where she can get a pair of those shoes!
You Can Never Have Enough Shoes, Belts, Hats…..etc
Had a ball working with Decoda and Rhys and Jeremy on their up and coming extravaganza at ARQ, The New Trinity Show. It was fun to see Decoda schlepped in cases of all kinds of possible accessories! You can never have enough, hey! Happy to say we got some great shots out of the exercise.
Norrie’s Portrait picked up by the Guardian
Norrie is deservedly in the news, and I’m happy to see my portrait of Norrie May-Welby picked up by the Guardian newspaper, appearing on the home page of the Australian version of the Guardian’s web site. This portrait also made it as a finalist in the 2011 National Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
Congratulations Norrie
Happy to hear of Norrie’s big win. Congratulations…..I can’t imagine how gruelling the fight must have been. As they say….all’s well, that ends well!
I had the pleasure of photographing Norrie May-Welby for SX in 2010 (Photo below)
JOHN MCRAE – ARTIST FLOOR TALK
Hi Guys!
I’m “performing” a an Artist Floor Talk this Saturday, 15 March, 2014 @3pm in the gallery space of my current exhibition at 62 Atchison Street, St Leonards.
I would love you to come and be a part of the event!
The details are listed on the flyer below. E-mail me if you have any questions.
Hope to see you.
John
RIP Charlotte Dawson
All my love on your next journey Charlotte. It was a pleasure to meet you and work with you for a brief moment. Very sad to hear of your passing.
Taken in February, 2009 for SX
John McRae – Lip Service
A warm invitation to all to attend the opening of an exhibition of my work along side an extremely interesting exhibition of 10 contemporary Chinese Multi Media Artist, taking place in St Leonards on Saturday 22 February, 2014 from 3-6pm. See invite below for details…….(double click on the attachments to zoom in)
Stunning New Menswear Collection by George Jreige
I had the pleasure of shooting for George Jreige recently. Loved the seductive range of tailored jackets and sexy, stylish t-shirts. High quality detailing and beautiful fabrics are a hallmark of Georges work. George is entering the fashion arena with a strong sense of style and quality after graduating in Fashion Design and working in the fashion industry. I wish him all the best. It was a joy working with the make-up artist, Sahra Bull, the fabulous model, Johnny Simon and my trusty assistant, Saverio Marfia. I will post some of the finished shots of our efforts when they are released.
Benefit Cosmetics does Yoga @ Bondi Beach
Shot for Benefit Cosmetics at Bondi Beach this morning……it was a fab yoga workshop featuring a lot of make-up for which Benefit are famous for!
It was a beautiful morning and everyone had a lot of fun!
My friend Mimi, a Bondi girl thru and thru, joined the party!
The Team and a shot of a classic Bondi morning………
Purse of the Mummy
Loads of fun shooting with Liesel Badorrek and Annabel Lines for their promotional image for a new show they were performing. We ended up with a great image.
Below are some of out takes of the proceedings…….
Open Weekend at One + 2 Artist Studios
This weekend, 26th & 27th October, 2023, One + 2 Artist Studios are opening their doors to the general public. I have my photographic studio in this warehouse complex in Rozelle which houses more than 45 practicing artists of all disciplines. Come along and drop in this weekend. A rare opportunity to wander through the studios and see the artists in their natural habitat.
One + 2 Artist Studios
483 Balmain Rd
Lilyfield NSW 2040
Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October, 2013
10am – 4pm (Official Opening Sat 2.30pm)
Exhibition of finalist’s images – Shoot The Chef
If you’re anywhere near Star Casino over this month, drop in and have a look at the 24 finalist images from the “Shoot The Chef” competition, on exhibition in the foyer area.
Ali & Osso Buco John McRae, 2012 (Critic’s choice winner 2013 Shoot The Chef)
Finalist’s images on exhibition at: The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont 2009 from October 10 to October 31