Custodian-An Exhibition by Andrew Wilson
Andrew Wilson is a photographer based in Hobart. This week I was priviledged to be asked to say a few words at the opening of his major solo art exhibition, which is showing 10 limited edition conceptual artworks and 200 classic black and white portraits.
Falling Grains
Here is the gist of my short introduction to the show.
I haven’t known Andrew very long, and have only met him a few times but I’ve known about his work for a while. Many of you would know the books “Old Sea Dogs”, Blue Water Classics” and “The Shank”. These are basically documentary works. This is the sort of photography I do and and so when Andrew asked me to speak I assumed that this would be the sort of imagery I would be talking about….
Then I saw the pictures and realised that this was something very different and very brave!
Keeper of Stories
I’ll try and explain why I think this is a brave exhibition.
Firstly we have to understand what Documentary Photography is. It’s Objectivity, its resisting interference, it’s about recording without judgement or commentary.
It’s a perfect medium for introverts… It says …
“This is what I saw…make of it what you will!’
Of course there always has to be some subjective input; this is where the line greys.
The photographer choses where to stand, what lens to use, how to frame the subject and perhaps most influentially of all, when to press the shutter. But basically, when the camera goes CLICK, that moment actually happened.
Now look at the pictures around you. Even with limited technical knowledge of photography, you can tell that these that these images are manipulated. Although the source material is all Andrew’s original work, taken from real life, the final pieces have been created by layering, cropping, adding texture and colour. So we have Andrew’s interpretation of reality rather than reality itself. His feelings and emotions are woven through these pictures like threads in a tapestry. This is not something a documentary photographer does lightly. It throws your work wide open to judgement.
The Last Flight of the Fancy
Many purists would be critical of this approach. Their arguments would run something like this….
Photography is special because it is the only art form that can capture a real moment with authenticity. Altering and adjusting that moment, destroys the one advantage you have with a camera, reducing the image to the level of drawing or painting.
But I believe we should revel in Andrew experimentation. He is no longer saying
“This is what I saw”
he is now saying
“This is what I felt”
I spent most of last month on a small wooden boat in South East Tasmania, rediscovering its beauty and awe.
Sailing allows time to feel the world around you not just see it.
Right of Passage
What I felt in the bays and anchorages of your beautiful state is very much reflected in and reinforced by the works surrounding us.
So in that respect alone, I wholeheartedly believe that this exhibition is a resounding success!
The exhibition will be on display throughout February and is a featured program of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, which is running from the 10th-13th of February.
Andrew would like to sincerely thank both the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and The Henry Jones Art Hotel for the amazing support they have provided.
For information about purchasing the artworks please contact Andrew Directly andrew@andrewwilsonphotography.com.au