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The Sydney Coliseum Theatre is a multi-mode lyric theatre designed by award-winning architects, Cox Architecture, construction headed by Hansen Yuncken, and the first of its kind in the rapidly growing region of Greater Western Sydney.
Located within West HQ – Sydney’s leading landmark destination for entertainment, fitness, lifestyle, and accommodation – the Sydney Coliseum Theatre features a 2,000-seat auditorium and can accommodate theatrical performances, corporate events, conferences and more.
You may remember that on a previous post I covered the mid-construction shots of this brilliant cultural addition to Western Sydney. I captured the construction progress around April, 2019. Here are some shots….
Now, over a year later, Western Sydney has it’s own, “state of the art”, international standard, performing arts centre. This facility is poised to attract the cream of the worlds talent and the pinnacle of the worlds top shows to Rooty Hill.
Having built a certain rapport with the physical structure of this building, inside and out, photographing it on several occasions, I am looking forward to visiting the theatre to see my first show there. I have heard that the acoustic performance of the auditorium is excellent and I am excited to experience this.
The interiors are particularly impressive with a large coloured chandelier in the main foyer, suspended from the ceiling. Stairs, white walls, vaulted vertical windows and wood panelling ascend the central atrium that leads to the various entrances of the auditorium.
MMXIX Pigment inkjet on cotton rag, 112cm x 78cm Edition of 9 (2AP)
Since 2008, every year I have taken an “official” annual portrait photograph of Matthew Mitcham, Australia’s gold-medal Olympic diver, award-winning cabaret performer and television entertainer, in my studio in Sydney.
Facing the camera with a direct, unflinching manner, each consecutive portrait is added to the growing series of similar portraits, which commenced when Matthew was only 20 years old, before his rise to Olympic fame.
Each portrait is taken under identical conditions, plotting the changes in his physical appearance and growing self-assurance. MMXIX marks the 12th portrait and the 12th year in this ongoing series.
I thank Matt for his support in continuing this series, in allowing a very public view of his “personal time-line”. Matt intends to marry this year in Europe, and I wish him and Luke all the very best.
The year is almost over, Xmas looms in a couple of days and I have a bit of time on my hands.
Yesterday I made the annual Xmas pudding. I enlisted the help of my Tasmanian friend, Rob, who dropped in to pay his respects. We both set about creating the 2019 version of my mother’s Xmas pudding.
I thought it may be a nice idea to share the recipe on my blog page, together with a pictorial explanation of the necessary steps. Rob agreed to be photographed for the exercise.
Additional notes on ingredients: I don’t add the orange juice in my version of mums recipe….doesn’t make sense to me. I also add prunes to the mix. Cut up quite finely of course. I also put in 3 eggs, rather than 2….creative license. You can add and substitute different fruits, such as glazed cherries (I don’t like them), apricots, pears….etc.
Actually you can take quite a bit of creative license with a plum pudding…..it’s not like the delicate sponge, souffle or cream puff, where too much variation may result in tears. So feel free to add your own personal touch whatever that may be…..
essence and or alcohol can be added at this stage to the fruit
Some recipes advise soaking the fruit for a day or two in the alcohol/essence before preparing the rest of the pudding. But who has 2 days to spend on making a plum pudding?
Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl, either with your hand, wooden spoon or in a mix-master type beater. See pic below: The butter and sugar is beaten until the consistency becomes homogenous and creamy….in fact one says, “cream the butter and sugar”.
Next: Add the eggs Note…..the eggs should be added at room temperature. Take them out of the fridge well before (if you keep your eggs in the fridge). I put the eggs in a bowl and beat them a little first before I put them in the pudding mixture. I add half the quantity of eggs and stir them until they are blended into the mixture….I then add the rest of the eggs and beat them similarly.
Add the flour…..about half the quantity. Once that is well combined into the mixture you then add around half the quantity of fruit. When the fruit is mixed in you may add any alcohol or essence that you decide to put in for extra flavour. You repeat the process until all the dry ingredients and fruit are combined.
For this process you can shed the electric mixer and use your hands or a wooden spoon to hand mix the flour and the fruit. Some die-hards would never use the electric beater….they feel you get a better result if hands or a wooden spoon are enlisted. I’ll leave it up to you.
Lastly, once all the ingredients so far have been successfully stirred together, you add the final ingredients, being, the treacle and the apricot jam. A note: these two things are optional, in my opinion. I do add them but if you chose not to….it’s not like you going to ruin your pudding. It will still be a good pudding.
Finally, it’s time to pour your pudding mixture into the centre of a square piece of calico. The calico is pre-cut and also soaked in cold water. Wring out any excess water from the calico….pour out the mixture….then gather the rag and form a closure, a bit like a “money bag”. Make sure all the sides of the rag are gathered together and you haven’t missed a bit.
Then tie off the top of the rag with string . Make sure you tie it well….go around several times and tie it off several times. Don’t be stingy on the length of the string….hopefully there will be a good bit of it left after tying which can be used to hang the pudding.
Important….leave a bit of space at the top between the mixture and the level of the rag you tie off…..that is, allow a bit of space for the pudding to expand in the rag…it will.
Now you need to boil your pudding. Gently lower your pudding into a pot of boiling water. Make sure your water is boiling on the stove and that your pot is big enough to comfortably accommodate the size of your pudding.
Boil your pudding for approximately 3 – 4 hours. It’s a bit of a process because you can’t really leave it during that time. You will need to keep an eye on the water level….continually topping up so your pudding doesn’t boil dry.
Note also….put a small saucer at the bottom of pot so that your pudding is not sitting directly on the bottom, but cushioned from direct contact with the heat.
At the end of 4 hrs take your pudding out of the hot water. It is now ready to eat…..un-peel the calico and serve with fresh cream or brandy sauce.
Or…..as it usual, you eat your pudding at a later date. Hanging the pudding for a period of time is suggested as it allows all the flavours and spices to penetrate the whole pudding. Some people hang theirs for months.
A “hung pudding” will require re-heating. Although the pudding is cooked when you go to re-heat it you will need to re-place it into a pot of boiling water, as before. In order to re-heat the pudding thoroughly you will need to leave it for at least 2 hours….for the heat to really penetrate the mass of the object. The water should already be boiling when you add the pudding.
You can cheat and take it out of the rag, cold and put cut pieces in the micro wave….this is not as dramatic and nowhere near a nice. But go ahead…..
If you are not going to eat the pudding straight away you can store it. Find a place you can suspend your pudding. My safe place is the bathroom.
So that’s it! That’s one version of a plum pudding recipe. Let me know how you go.
I first visited Lebanon in 2005. In spite of the fact that I had a brilliant time it took me 14 years to get back to Beirut for another Lebanese experience. It did not disappoint.
Whether it’s the delicious Middle Eastern food, the beautiful and changing landscapes, the ancient monuments or the most hospitable and warm inhabitants, a good time is assured. Here a few frames from my latest trip to the Jewel of the Levant.
South Border Gallery – Exhibition at the Abroyan Factoy, Beirut
The Abroyan Factory was transformed into a huge art installation to coincide with the opening of the Beirut Art Fair. It was a great event and an amazing experience to wander through the rooms and corridors of the old factory, lined with art from different corners of the world.
Baalbek is an ancient Phoenician city located in what is now modern day Lebanon, north of Beirut, in the Beqaa Valley. Inhabited as early as 9000 BCE, Baalbek grew into an important pilgrimage site in the ancient world for the worship of the Phoenician sky-god Baal and his consort Astarte, the Queen of Heaven (the name `Baalbek’ means Lord Baal of the Beqaa Valley). The center of the city was a grand temple dedicated to Astarte and Baal and the ruins of this early temple remain today beneath the later Temple of Jupiter Baal. Baalbek is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
These structures are magnificent and mysterious. They are still the subject of much debate in the academic community, particularly questions concerning the origins and nature of many of the enormous foundation stones in the structures, some of which are the largest in the known world.
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. The word megalithic describes structures made of such large stones without the use of mortar or concrete, representing periods of prehistory characterised by such constructions. For later periods, the word monolith, with an overlapping meaning, is more likely to be used.
Beit El Baraka – Our Mission is to ensure a sense of dignity to hard-working citizens once they retire, by assisting them in their struggle with the increasing cost of living. In a spirit of respect and support, we aim to provide a tailor-made accurate and beneficial response to Lebanon’s economic and multi-dimensional challenges that are depriving many retired citizens of their most basic needs and rights.
I would have to say that portraiture is my favourite genre. Here are a few examples of recent portraits….some are commissions, some are for personal projects or simply people I wanted to shoot.
Each year I shoot stills for the live recording of “Just For Laughs”, recorded in the studio at the Sydney Opera House. It is always a pleasure to shoot this totally entertaining event….at times the camera is shaking as I hold back laughter.
Prime Constructions is about to work on this “artistic” office space. Left vacant and unfinished for many years, this graffiti canvas will now become a re-furbished and modern office complex. This is the “before” shot. Stay tuned for the “after” shot….sorry that one will take another 6 months to complete.
Short term rentals is a vibrant market as more and more people make their homes and properties available. I’ve been working with a company that manages these properties for owners, Maisonnets. Here are a few examples:
I have been on assignment at Screen Australia recently, shooting some vibrant, young creatives for various promotional initiatives.
Ryan O’Connell, writer and story editor (Will & Grace) has teamed up with Anna Dokoza, Australian director, the star of The Big Bang Theory and Netflix to create a new comedy, Special. Click here for more info
Pitcher Perfect – Screen Australia announced the finalists of the first ever “Pitcher Perfect” competition which was held at VidCon in Melbourne.
I shot some of the creatives who’s job it was to pitch their concepts to a panel of judges, for a duration of 5mins. It was their job to convince the panel to choose their concept as the recipient of the $30,000 on offer to the winners.
The winning pitch was “Return to Sender”, pitched by Amy and Pearl, two of the finalists that I photographed.
Jennifer Holliday performs at the opening of the festival at the Recital Hall, Sydney
Sydney was the original home of cabaret in Australia; it is an artform that is truly loved by all Australians. This year organisers decided to bring back the Sydney Cabaret Festival.
Trevor Ashley is the Festival’s Artistic Director. He assembled both International and Australian cabaret stars into a 9 day extravaganza of top class entertainment. Trevor states, “I have loved Cabaret as long as I can remember. As a confused child growing up I discovered this incredible artform that celebrated unique personalities, and more than that, an irreplaceable bond between artist and audience. Seeing artists like Lorrae Desmond, Julie Anthony and Geraldine Turner live, made me believe I could be anyone I wanted to be. It changed my life.”
Trevor Ashley, 2011 In make-up for his role of Edna Turnblad for the Australian production of Hairspray
The 2019 Sydney Cabaret Festival features Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday (pictured above), appearing for the first time on Australian soil, alongside local legends like Phil Scott and Jonathan Biggins, to New York downtown darling Natalie Joy Johnson. UK’s Frisky and Mannish return after a ten year hiatus, as does diva Alison Jiear. Tim Draxl will appear in a world premiere of his new show, along with Kim David Smith, Reuben Kaye and Brian Nash, plus circus and variety show Cheeky Cabaret, direct from their home in Brunswick Heads. Tim Benzie returns to Sydney with Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote. The Festival also includes a cabaret for children, Petit Cabaret, and masterclasses with Jennifer Holliday and Alison Jiear, as well as the Grand Final of the restored Sydney Cabaret Competition.
I was the Festival’s Photographer and had the pleasure of photographing and documenting most of the action. The following is a brief visual overview of how I spent my time.
Jennifer Holliday – Headlines the Festival
Jennifer Holliday headlines the Festival, appearing at the opening night at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, SydneyMs. Holliday is the undisputed Queen of the broadway musical,Dreamgirls. Her show stopping number, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, for which she won a grammy in 1983, is her signature piece. She won a Tony award for her performance in Dreamgirls in 1982. Jennifer laid the audience in the aisles as she unleashed her amazing voice in the Sydney Town Hall on Saturday 6 July, 2019
Opening Night at the City Recital Hall
Trevor Ashley gives it his all as he channels some grand diva from somewhere.Trevor Ashley in diva modePhil Scott and Jonathan Biggins at the Opening Night.Phil Scott and Jonathan BigginsPhil Scott and Jonathan BigginsPhil Scott and Jonathan BigginsJonathan BigginsReuben KayeReuben KayeReuben KayeReuben KayeReuben Kaye, beamed down for the performanceBrian Nash at the keyboardBrian Nash New York City goddess and diva, Nathalie Joy JohnsonNathalie Joy JohnsonNathalie Joy JohnsonNathalie Joy JohnsonNathalie Joy JohnsonKim David SmithKim David SmithKim David SmithKim David SmithAlison Jiear at the Recital HallAlison Jiear
The solo Performances
The Piano Bar at the Seymour CentreSeymour Centre
The Seymour Centre was transformed into the Cabaret Hub with solo performances simultaneously running in 5 separate performance spaces. There was a great buzz of excitement and anticipation as the audiences crowded to attend each show. I ran from theatre to theatre capturing the action. Here’s a visual overview…..
Alison Jiear
Alison JiearAlison JiearAlison Jiear
Cabaret Competition Grand Final
Australia’s next generation of cabaret superstars launched their careers at The Sydney Cabaret Competition: Grand Final hosted by ‘International Queen of Cabaret’ Trevor Ashley.
9 entertainers were selected as finalists (Nyssa Milligan, Irene Nicaola, Katelin Koprivec, Sarah Murr, Naomi Livingston, Rachael Gillfeather, Ali Calder, Billie Palin and Clare Ellen O’Connor), each performed their own short cabaret shows. The judges then selected the 2019 winner.
Congratulations to the runner up – Clare Ellen O’Conner with her show Plucked! and the Audience Choice and Winner – Billie Palin, for her incredible performance in ‘From Dubbo to Death’.
Irene Nicola performs at the finalsClair Ellen O’Conner in “Plucked” (Competition Runner-up)Clair Ellen O’Conner Clair Ellen O’Conner Katelin KoprivecKatelin KoprivecSarah MurrSarah MurrBillie Palin in “From Dubbo to Death” (Competition Winner)Nyssa MilliganNyssa MilliganNaomi LivingstonTrevor Ashley announces the Runner-UpTrevor Ahsley presents the Runner-Up to Claire O’ConnorThe winner is announced! It’s Billie Palin, in “From Dubbo to Death
Cheeky Cabaret
Born out of the sleepy, picturesque village of Brunswick Heads on the north coast of NSW, birthed at the Brunswick Picture House, comes “Cheeky Cabaret”. Full of many flavours…..other than vanilla and very entertaining, Cheeky Cabaret ran for the entire length of the Festival in the Valhalla Room at the Seymour Centre.
Cheeky CabaretCheeky CabaretCheeky Cabaret
Frisky and Hammish
Frisky and MannishFrisky and MannishFrisky and Mannish
Master Class with Jennifer Holliday
Jennifer Holliday MasterclassJennifer Holliday gives some special advice during her master class at the Seymour Centre
Kim David Smith
Kim David SmithKim David SmithKim David Smith
Nathalie Joy Johnson
Nathalie Joy JohnsonNathalie Joy JohnsonNathalie Joy Johnson
Phil Scott & Jonathan Biggins
Phil Scott and Jonathan BigginsPhil Scott and Jonathan BigginsPhil Scott and Jonathan BigginsPhil Scott and Jonathan Biggins
Reuben Haye
Reuben KayeReuben Kaye on stage at “Capricios”, Seymour Centre
Tim Draxyl
Tim Draxyl dazzles his audienceTim Draxyl begins his performanceTim DraxylTim DraxylTim Draxyl
Toni Lamond and the Finale
Trevor Ashley at the Festival FinaleTrevor Ashley at the Festival FinaleTrevor Ashley at the Festival FinaleBillie Palin (Cabaret Competition Winner)Billie Palin (Cabaret Competition WinCabaret Royalty, Toni Lamond, makes her entranceToni Lamond slays the crowdToni LamondToni LamondToni LamondToni LamondToni Lamond
The Piano Bar
The Piano Bar was a big hit each night of the FestivalThe Piano Bar, the place to be after the show
The Piano Bar was a popular venue, nestled in the Seymour Centre’s Festival hub. Each night heralded a plethora of pop-up performances from various artists.
Rhonda Burchmore lying down on the job!Trevor Ashley with Rhonda BurchmoreCath AlcornCath AlcornGenevieve LemonGenevieve LemonGenevieve LemonGenevieve LemonMinnie CooperMinnie CooperMinnie CooperMinnie CooperBrian NashNathalie Joy Johnson (sans wig)Nathalie Joy JohnsonReuben KayeNathalie Joy Johnson, Reuben Kaye & Brian NashNathalie Joy Johnson, Reuben Kaye, Brian Nash & Trevor AshleyTrevor Ashley and Nathalie Joy JohnsonTrevor AshleyRhonda BurchmoreRhonda BurchmoreRhonda BurchmoreRhonda BurchmoreTim FreedmanTim FreedmanRhonda BurchmoreRhonda BurchmoreCatherine AlcornCatherine AlcornCatherine AlcornGenevieve LemonPhil ScottKim David Smith and Brian NashReuben Kaye and Brian Nash
The Sydney International Cabaret Festival was a big success and will be now on the Sydney cultural horizon….so watch out for it next year and don’t miss seeing a few of the performers in next years line-up.
Crime queens Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh, who were bitter rivals during the 1920s when their gangs fought it out on the streets of East Sydney in the “razor gang wars”, are a fascinating pair of protagonists for a musical currently showing at the Hayes Theatre in Potts Point.
Tilly Devine (Amelia Cormack) confronts Kate Leigh (Debora Krizak) on stage
From the 1920s until the 1930s, two vice queens, Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine, ruled the Darlinghurst underworld. Their rivalry was infamous, leading to a litany of violent crimes enacted by their razor gangs as each struggled to gain dominance in a world of sly grog, narcotics and prostitution.
In 2019, Kate Leigh’s former sly grog shop is about to reopen as a trendy coffee spot. The shop is being gutted for renovation, but there are still ghosts in the walls who aren’t done settling old scores.
Razorhurst explores what it means to be a woman in a man’s world, forced into a life of crime by circumstance. At turns crass and hilarious, Razorhurst is a “compelling meditation on the explosive cocktail of gender, class, and power underlying an infamous period in the history of crime” (Newark Star-Ledger).
Book & Lyrics by Kate Mulley, Music by Andy Peterson
Presented by Hayes Theatre Co
Director Benita de Wit Musical Director Lucy Bermingham
Starring Amelia Cormack & Debora Krizak
RAZORHURST Was Commissioned by and received its World Premiere at Luna Stage, West Orange, New Jersey Cheryl Katz, Artistic Director
TICKETS* Previews: Full $60 | Concession $55 Mon – Thurs: Full $65 | Concession $60 Sat Matinee: Full $65 | Concession $60 Fri & Sat Evening: Full $70 | Concession $65 Wed Matinee: Full $60 | Concession $55 | Fab Four Offer $45
Razorhurst is part of the 2011 Postcode offer. Residents of 2011 can obtain half price tickets 30 minutes prior to performances Mon-Thurs with proof of address. Subject to availability.
Paulini & Hugh Sheridan star in the new production of Hair the musical
A brand new Australian production of the much-loved rock musical HAIR will come alive in the Concert Hall – Sydney Opera House from 3 – 6 October as part of a national tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show’s Australian premiere.
Leading the cast in this new production of HAIR is award-winning TV and theatre star Hugh Sheridan (Packed to the Rafters) in the role of Berger and powerhouse vocalist Paulini as Dionne. Sheridan’s one man show, Newly Discovered, sold out Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2009 and, in 2012, he starred alongside Geoffrey Rush and Magda Szubanski in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
I recently captured some promotional images of both Paulini and Hugh at the Sydney Opera House.
Paulini is one of 10 Australian female solo artists to have a #1 album in the ARIA Charts and her critically acclaimed performance as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard (2017) has cemented her as one of Australia’s most exciting rising stars.
With book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragini, and music by Galt McDermott, HAIR will be produced by David M. Hawkins and directed by Declan Greene. The show brings together a talented local creative team with Set Design by Michael-Scott Mitchell, Choreography by Amy Campbell, Musical Direction by Glenn Moorhouse and Costume Design by James Browne.
HAIR plays at the Sydney Opera House from 3 – 6 October 2019. For more information, visit: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
HAIR also plays His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth (22 August – 1 September); Geelong Performing Arts Centre (4 – 8 September); The Art House, Wyong (19 – 21 September); Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong (25 – 29 September); and Home of the Arts, Gold Coast (11 & 12 October). For more information, visit: www.hairthemusical.com.au for details.
I think this production will be fabulous and can’t wait to hear that rousing score….this is a must see. So Book and get yourself a ticket!
Construction has begun on a world-class performing arts centre and multi-use entertainment space in Rooty Hill. It is deemed the biggest cultural development to hit Western Sydney. The centre is set to become an icon for the West, with construction due for completion in late 2019.
The two leading ladies of Australian theatre and cabaret are at it again. Firstly, it was ABBA-SOLUTELY FABULOUS. You may remember……
Rhonda and Lara as Abba-solutely Fabulous
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.
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.
Jaden, 2018 (from the series “Spot the Arab”
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……
This is my sister looking relaxed and happy. The weather was great during the day. The mornings were brisk and sharp, softened by the warmth of an open fire
Check out this wooden stove. How cool.
The end of the day was a moment where everyone would come together, relax, sit around and chat.
The bbq open fire was a treat.
The farm was nestled at the foot of the Grampians. This was the view from the creek that ran beside the property. It was really hard to deal with as you can imagine.
Helen saying hello to the relatives….
Lunch at the local Vietnamese street vendor in Horsham.Lunch with Denise at the Great Western Hotel
I went to the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Williamstown in Melbourne……..
My hosts in Melbourne where I spent the night before returning to Sydney. Home, back to Sydney with Virgin
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.
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.
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.
One Nation, 2016Obed II, Sydney 2018
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.