Photographic 'wonders' at Artstation

Wonder, a new exhibition at Artstation from 22 June to 3 July, brings together a wide range of different photographic methods, styles and subject matter from five local photographers.

They are presenting diverse responses to the idea of wonder.

Photographer Julie Downie presents a series of close-ups of flowers and considers them to be examples of nature’s wonders found within a cultivated garden. The large-scale images accentuate the detail, colour and richness of each flower, enveloping the viewer within the stillness of wonder. The images are presented in a circular format as a reference to nineteenth century microscope images.

Photography moves off the wall and into the gallery space in another exhibition with Darryl Fausett’s installation of images within glass preserving jars. Ms Fausett uses the alternative photographic process of cyanotype, commonly known as blueprint imaging, to capture images of everyday objects.

“My images start with everyday objects which I then reframe to become strange or remarkable, commenting on both the wonder of creation and the wonder of the creative process,” says Ms Fausett.

Fashion photographer Michael Ng works collaboratively with New Zealand fashion designers including Francis Hooper of World to create a series of revealing portraits. The portraits position fashion designers in relation to their ethnic background to comment on the way fashion can construct an identity for the wearer.

Poet and photographer Ann Poulsen combines image and text in her photographs for Wonder. Ms Poulsen uses photography to create imaginary beings from the “museum of the marvellous”. The intriguing images provide the viewer with an aesthetic experience while the accompanying text enhances the image and adds another layer of meaning.

Richard Walton portrays a walk along a stretch of west-coast beach through a series of photographs. The photographs create a sense of quiet contemplation, wonder and the ordinary by depicting a scene that is both awe-inspiring and familiar.

The artists will discuss their work and varied perspectives on the theme of Wonder in an Artists’ Talk on Saturday 26 June at 1.30pm in the Artstation Gallery. The talk is free and open to the public.

Wonder is part of the Auckland Festival of Photography.

Wonder exhibition information: Artists: Julie Downie, Darryl Fausett, Michael Ng, Ann Poulsen, Richard Walton Exhibition: 22 June – 3 July 2004 Opening: Opening 5 – 7pm Tuesday 22 June 2004 Artists’ Talk: 1.30pm, Saturday 26 June 2004, Artstation Gallery

Artstation, Auckland City’s community visual arts facility, is located at the old police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newton. It is easy to get to by public transport with the Link’s ‘Artstation’ bus stop right outside.

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