When a new exhibition comes to the AGWA I enjoy hearing from the curator, as they provide fascinating insights into what it takes to get an exhibition to Perth and deeper insights into the artists’ life. This was certainly the case with Christopher Chapman who curated the Richard Avedon People exhibition.
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| Marilyn Monroe, actress, New York, May 6 1957 Photograph by Richard Avedon © The Richard Avedon Foundation |
Chapman said putting the exhibition together involved several trips to the Richard Avedon Foundation in America. The planning began in 2011.
‘I remember being surprised that they had never been exhibited in Australia,’ said Chapman.
This is only the second time the images have been seen in Australia.
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Christopher Chapman © The Ponder Room
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He went on to explain how difficult it was to pick the 80 pieces that would be shown in the exhibition.
In the end they selected a combination of icon pieces and the lesser known.
Chapman was particularly taken with the photograph of the 13 year old boy holding up a gutted snake. He explained to me that the photograph was captured during two and a half day sitting. Can you imagine the smell after two days?
Chapman was particularly taken with the photograph of the 13 year old boy holding up a gutted snake. He explained to me that the photograph was captured during two and a half day sitting. Can you imagine the smell after two days?
‘It was the last shot where he got the elements right, that sense of frustration in the boys eyes,’ said Chapman.
The Marilyn Monroe photograph also intrigued him.
‘He got this shot when she was off guard. It was at the end of the session when she was no longer ‘Marilyn the actor’. It tells you a lot about her.’
Chapman explained that Avedon’s unique style of using a plain background was carried on when he went to country fairs. He used to take a white sheet as a backdrop.
‘Once the sheet and the cameras were set up he was all business.’
I was interested to hear that the pieces were specially framed for this exhibition. The white frames were a great choice as they melted away into the background and made the photographs stand out even more. They also made the whole exhibition look fresh. For my artist friends out there this is something to ponder for your next exhibition.
So too was Chapman’s comment that ‘photography is the portrait medium of our time.’
For more information go to www.artgallery.wa.gov.au
Opened Saturday 2 August – November 17 2014.
The exhibition is presented in partnership with The Richard Avedon Foundation, New York and The National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
Tickets available at artgallery.wa.gov.au $14 Adult | $12 Concession| $10 Pre-booked groups of ten | Children 12 years & under free
2 Comments
I can’t wait to see this exhibition x
Set aside a bit of time Rae I think you’ll love it. You can always go to the café too