Playing around with some strobe lighting and my mother happened to be on hand as my model for the day.
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Shhhhh! 5 - The Final Performance
Photos from the 5th and final in a series of silent street theatre performances produced by Vashti Hughes, critiquing Sydney’s draconian lockout laws and policing regimes which have impacted on cultural expression, night life and quality of life.
Performed outside the Piccolo Bar in Kings Cross, Sydney.
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Reflections of Canberra
Some autumnal shots of Canberra.
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Message Stick Walker Arrives in Canberra, Ngunnawal
Alwyn Doolan, The Message Stick Walker, arrived in Canberra, Ngunnawal country, on the weekend, after a trek of over 8,500 kms from Bamaga in far north Queensland. His historic 12-month walk travelled through over 50 first nations, gathering and imparting knowledge along the way.
Alwyn is a Gooreng Gooreng Wakka Wakka man and Yunyiddee (Aboriginal Messenger), inspiring cultural connection and connection to land amongst his people, as well as healing for broader Australia. He carries with him three message sticks, “that represent the three stages of Australia’s story - creation, colonisation and healing”. A statement by Alwyn Doolan can be found here.
His arrival to the outskirts of Canberra on Saturday was met with a Ngunnawal Welcome to Country smoking ceremony and a group of family members and supporters, some of whom have accompanied part of the trek along the route and others who have followed Alwyn’s journey on Facebook. After the smoking, the contingent walked through Canberra’s CBD to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, located in front of Old Parliament House. The group was escorted over the last few kilometres by the Indigenous (motorcyle) Riders Club and cheered in to the Embassy by Aboriginal elders and other supporters.
The following day, after a yarning circle at the Embassy, Alwyn collapsed - a result of the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual toll of his epic journey. He was nursed back to health that day and recovered after a night’s sleep.
The next morning, Monday, Alwyn, his family and supporters marched from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, up to the doors of Parliament House proper, to present a Statement of Intention to the Australian Government. The statement was read on the forecourt of Parliament House.
Alwyn plans to present the message sticks and tribal law notice to the new, incoming Australian Government, once sworn in, after which, his journey will continue.
Donations to the Message Stick Walk can be made here.
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Salt, Sand and Sky
Some images playing around with different film stock at Sydney’s eastern beaches - Bondi and Coogee.
Shot on a Hasselblad 503 CXi, Ilford SFX 200 and Ilford Fp4 125, black and white, medium format 120 film.
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Shooting For The Stars - Barbara McGrady
Gomeroi Yinnah photojournalist and 2020 Sydney Biennale artist, Barbara McGrady reaches for the hoop.
Ilford Fp4, black and white, 35mm film, Nikon F2AS.
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Claire
Photoshoot with the lovely Claire.
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Raymond and Christine's Wedding
Photographs of Raymond and Christine Weatherall’s wedding at McMahon’s Point.
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Djab Wurrung Embassy
Images from the Djab Wurrung Embassy, just outside Ararat in Victoria’s south west.
The protest camp and embassy was set up by Djab Wurrung man, D.T. Zellanach and partner Amanda 12 months ago to protect ancient birthing and other sacred trees which Vic Roads want to bulldoze to make way for the expansion of the Great Western Highway.
Last month, a large police presence was told to stand down in lieu of an application to the Federal court to appeal the decision of the Federal Environment minister to reject a heritage order protecting the trees, some of which are estimated to be more than 800 years old. In total, around 260 trees are earmarked for destruction. The trees are culturally significant to the Djab Wurrung people.
The Embassy is seeking assistance of all kinds to support their cause, including an online petition and help on site stationing at the Embassy.
Update, July 2019: In breaking news, as the decision of the Federal Court is about to be released, founder of the Embassy, D.T. Zellanach has just been arrested and removed from the Embassy. He is currently in lock-up in Melbourne and has been refused bail. Protesters are camped outside the lock-up demanding his release.
Update, 22nd of August 2019: The Federal Court did not uphold the appeal to place a heritage order on the trees. As a result, Vic Roads placed an eviction order on the campsites. Police and workers are on the cusp of moving in to clear the camp, fell the trees and begin roadworks. In the last days, more than 200 people have travelled to the Embassy to protect the site. D.T. Zellanach has called on more supporters to gather at the Embassy. Stay tuned for more news from this frontline.
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Stop Adani Convoy - Canberra
Yesterday, 5,000 people turned up to Parliament House in Canberra as the final leg of the Stop Adani Convoy wound up. Organised through the Bob Brown Foundation, the convoy travelled to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Clermont in Central Queensland.
The event kicked off with a smoking ceremony at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy with attendees then marching up to the lawns in front of Parliament House.
Speakers at the rally called on both major parties to halt the giant Adani mine, scheduled to be one of the largest coal mines in the world. The rally featured a range of speakers including writer Richard Flanagan, student activists Tahlia Mullins and Tess Carlton, traditional owner from the Babinburra clan of the Wangan and Jagalingou People of Central Queensland Adrian Burragubba, musician Paul Kelly and ex-Greens leader and environmental activist, Bob Brown.
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Frontiers War Commemoration
Images from today’s annual ANZAC Day Frontiers Wars March to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Ngunnawal, commemorating Aboriginal deaths during the Frontiers Wars.
The Frontiers Wars marks the series of resistance wars between various Aboriginal peoples and invading British forces from 1770 onwards. Estimates of Aboriginal deaths resulting from these wars range, conservatively, anywhere from 20,000 to 65,000. Some estimate a far greater toll, into the millions.
The Frontiers Wars March is not recognised by official ANZAC Day proceedings, and so the contingent is not allowed to participate in the march up to the War Memorial along side Australian troops. Instead, they march behind the offical parade and must wait behind a fenced off area until they are permitted to lay a wreath along side the general public once the ANZAC Day proceedings come to an end.
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Smoking at the Embassy for Those Passed
Leslie John Coe, (Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal), Alfred Walker (Yuin) and Daniel Boney (Gomeroi) were honoured today at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy fire.
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Shhhhh! 4
Photos from the 4th in a series of silent street theatre performances produced by Vashti Hughes, critiquing Sydney’s draconian lockout laws and policing regimes which have impacted on cultural expression, night life and quality of life.
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Ayesha
Legendary drag performer, long-time Les Girls member and Kings Cross identity, Ayesha.
Images taken in the studio and at home.
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Palm Sunday Rally - Free The Refugees
Images from the annual Palm Sunday Rally. This year the plight of refugees was again the focus of the march, with condemnation of both Coalition and Labor party policies.
About 5,000 people gathered at Belmore Park in Sydney’s CBD for the protest. After an Acknowledgement of Country by Wiradjuri woman, Bronwyn Penrith, and songs from the Solidarity Choir, speakers followed, including ex-Socceroo captain, Craig Foster, unionist Judith Wright, ministers of religions, Father Claude Mostowik, Father Shenouda Mansour and Reverend John Barr, anti-nuclear campaigner, Dr Vince Scappatura, journalist, Dr Anna Broinowski and human rights advocate, Hazara and former refugee, Shukufa Tahari.
The crowd, including a large contingent of medical students, then marched down Broadway to Victoria Park, where further speeches were given.
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Kandi With Sea Shells
Regular beach comber, Kandi, with a collection of sea shells, Cronulla, Sydney.
Shot on film with a Hasselblad 503CXi, Ilford FP4, Black and White, 120mm film, Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm lens.
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Barbara McGrady Double Exposed
I accidentally double exposed this shot on my Hasselblad while shooting some off the cuff portraits of Gomeroi photojournalist and 2019 Sydney Biennale artist, Barbara McGrady.
I quite like it because of its serendipity but also because it reflects the multi-faceted, complex person that Barbara is, operating as she does between many worlds.
Shot on a Hasselblad 503 CXi, Kodak Porta 160 colour film, quick and nasty digital scan.
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Barbara and Alkira
A few quick portraits of Gomeroi photojournalist, Barbara McGrady and grand-daughter, Alkira, hanging out in Glebe, Sydney.
Shot on film with a Hasselblad 503CXi, Ilford FP4, Black and White, 120mm film, Carl Zeiss Planar CFi T* 80mm lens.
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Vittorio Bianchi
A portrait of long-time local identity Vittorio Bianchi, or simply ‘Vitto’ as most know him, who has been working for 50 years at the Piccolo Bar, Sydney’s longest running cafe in Kings Cross.
Shot on film with a Hasselblad 503CXi, Ilford FP4, Black and White, 120mm film, Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm lens.
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Haka For Christchurch
Maori and other Pacific Islander communities came together today at Circular Quay in Sydney to perform a haka in dedication to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack and to the Muslim communities both in New Zealand and here in Australia.
Today’s proceedings were opened with a smoking ceremony performed by an Aboriginal contingent.
Speakers spoke out against “racism, terrorism and the uglies of the world”.
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