First Show In New Community Photography Gallery Launches

Non-profit photography organisation Photosynthesis has successfully launched its new gallery with an exhibition of artwork from across the community.

Earlier this month Photosynthesis moved to a new home in Sydenham, doubling the size of its darkroom and studio, and creating the only dedicated photography exhibition gallery in Christchurch.

The first exhibition, titled Open, launched on Saturday, publicly showcasing 190 words from 80 artists . The exhibition began as an open call for artwork from the community. It displays work from across the entire spectrum of photography.

Photosynthesis is heavily subsidised by community grants, including from the Christchurch City Council. It has held exhibitions in the past at other venues, but will now be able to share much more of what the community has created.

“Our panel of volunteer curators work with submitting artists to make it all happen, leading to more exhibitions of people from all backgrounds telling their stories to our city through their work,“ director Kieran Haymes said.

“We launched our new exhibition space with Open to expose the current state of photographic art in Ōtautahi to the people of the city in which it was made.

“We chose the name Open to reflect not only that it is the opening of this space, but that it is open to everyone and every piece of art made using light — prints, zines, books, anthotypes, digital or film photography.”

Open runs until March 15th.

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