Exhibitions / Fear of People

18.10.2007 to 04.11.2007

Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Caulfield.

The work for this exhibition was undertaken over a two year period, the first year to photograph everyone and the second to paint the portraits.

This exhibition was about inclusiveness and giving people a voice. People that may not necessarily feel 'heard' in the course of their everyday life. The portraits are of ordinary people, some with disabilities, some more overt than others. Or they may be from minority groups, female, babies and children, immigrants, refugees or indigenous.

This exhibition was titled after some Australian's fear of people that are different, or unknown to them. That seemingly pose a threat. Often based on a stereotype that may be created by the media's portrayal of them.

Portraiture in itself is a paradox, its aim is to give a voice to and define the subject, yet in this defining a limit is set, an opinion is created and a 'violence' done.

In all my groups of work I aim to explore the complexities of individual identity. The direct gaze is employed to give the subject more power within the viewers looking. The viewer is not entirely free to cast their gaze over the subject in an unchecked manner.

This exhibition was supported by the Australian Government through The Australia Council.

Photographs: Screaming Pixel