Head On Photo Festival

Head On Photo Festival … Brilliant …

Crackin’ long weekend at the 2023 Head On Photo Festival in Sydney. 

Great to catch up with so many friends and photography colleagues. Amongst those photographers (and SO sorry for those fleetingly met and missed here) … and roughly in order they appeared …  Mark ‘Crusty’ Baker, David Gray, Rick Stevens, Mike Bowers, Peter Solness, Gary Ramage, Janie Barrett, John Donegan, Dean Sewell, Nicky Cately,  Judith Nangala Crispin, Jessica Hromas, Andrew Quilty, Michael Coyne, Glenn Porter, (pocket UK rocket) Jennifer Forward-Hayter,  John Swainston , Fiona Bowring and Dianne Brooks (who did an amazing job as my personal ‘chauffeur’ 😉 )

Then … you’ve got the fabulous dedicated Head On crew … Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Anita, Steven, Emma, Charles, Lana et al. Amazin’ job !

Great to see the almost endless brilliant photography works at Bondi Beach, Reservoir Gardens, TAFE Ultimo etc … being part of a photo judges panel talk with colleagues Judith Nangala Crispin and Jessica Hromas … and to see my Head On Portrait Prize Finalist ‘Alf Neal’ work on the wall amongst a brilliant Bondi Pavilion exhibition in company with the work of media colleagues Gary Ramage, Kate Geraghty, Glenn Porter and forty odd others.

But wait … there’s more … the third showing for the “Paper Tigers” exhibition of Australian photojournalism, this time in the spacious realms of TAFE Ultimo … collection curated by myself and Moshe.

Wouldn’t have missed all this for quids … go see  … (and that’s the ‘name dropping’ other with 😉 )

Below are two of my works at the current Head On Festival … “Voices – 100 Years & 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM” amongst the Portrait Prize Finalists … and “Abdullatif – Beaten Asylum Seeker” amongst the sixty brilliant works of photojournalism that is “Paper Tigers”.

Images © Brian Cassey @headonphotofest #headonphoto 

Head On Photo Festival … Exhibitions and Talks … Brilliant

There is so much I could say about this years Head On Photo Festival in Sydney. Could almost write a book about it …

Sadly, don’t have enough space to tell all about this years exhibitions, artists talks, panel talks, awards and other photographer events that made this years, soon to conclude, festival so special … but I will try.

This years annual extravaganza was based around the beautiful newly remodelled Bondi Pavilion opposite the World famous beach … and in the stunning surrounds at the Reservoir Gardens in Paddington. The work of 500-plus photographers was displayed in 107 exhibitions across the two major venues and further afield.

Work from my “A Photographer’s Life – Part Two” collection … first exhibited in full last year at The Court House Gallery in Cairns  … was selected as a ‘featured’ exhibition in Reservoir Gardens. Re-titled “(Selections From) A Photographer’s Life – Part Two” the work on the picturesque wall was edited down to twelve works (from the original 38) by Head On’s Moshe Rosenzveig and team (see top two images below).

Out of the nine other exhibitions also displayed in Reservoir Gardens four were my firm festival favourites … the works of two photojournalists, Giles Clarke from the USA (“Yemen: Conflict & Chaos”) and Mouneb Taim from Syria (“War Notes”), Judith Nangala Crispin’s magnificent and startling photographic creations using wild animals “Dangerous Stars” … and the haunting, disturbing, brave yet occasionally amusing work by breast cancer survivor Lisa Murray and her five-year-old son Griffin entitled “Through My Child’s Eyes”. Brilliant visual treats all …

Out of the many, many exhibitions lining the entire length of Bondi Beach I was most drawn to two that displayed a great visual sense of humour during Covid lockdown … Andrew Rovenko’s fabulous “The Rocketgirl Chronicles” and my old once Cairns mate Jake Nowakowski and his brilliant “Superheroes in Lockdown” set.

Please do take some time to click on the links to see these great exhibitions. Sadly the Reservoir Gardens exhibitions closed at the weekend but the Bondi works will be on display until December 4th.

I was also asked to do some ‘nattering’ at the Festival … in particular an artist talk regarding my “A Photographer’s Life – Part Two” work … and a panel talk on the challenges of photojournalism, and how photojournalists gain trust from and access to their subject entitled “Insiders & Outsiders”. The above mentioned photojournalists Giles Clarke and Mouneb Taim were my co-panelists in a talk moderated by photography journalist Alison Steven-Taylor.

Arguably the most satisfying festival event for me personally was the (re)opening of “Paper Tigers” … an exhibition of the work of sixty of Australia’s best photojournalists curated my myself and Moshe Rosenzveig. The culmination of nearly a year of cajoling and collecting the work of the best of Aussie based media PJ’s, the original exhibition of the sixty collected works was slap bang in the middle of Covid lockdowns and border closures. I and many others of the our contributors … even those in NSW … obviously couldn’t attend. Moshe and the Head On crew made good on their promise of ‘Launch Two’ at the fabulous Delmar Gallery in Ashfield just two weekends ago … and our “Paper Tigers” contributors could at last travel from around the country to celebrate the works on the walls and the accompanying “Paper Tigers” book (see images three and four below).

For those interested … here are the contributors to “Paper Tigers” … a totally talented bunch who withstood my constant nagging … Thanks …

Alex Coppel, Andrew Chapman, Angela Wylie, Ashley Crowther, Barbara McGrady, Ben Bohane, Brendan Beirne, Brian Cassey, Chris Hopkins, Craig Golding, Craig Greenhill, Darrian Traynor, Dave Tacon, David Dare Parker, David Gray, Dean Lewins, Dean Sewell, Delly Carr, Eddie Safarik, Edwina Pickles, Gerrit Fokkema, Glenn Campbell, Glenn Lockitch, Grant Wells, Helga Salwe, Ilana Rose, Jaime Murcia, Jake Nowakowski, Janie Barrett, Jessica Hromas, John Donegan, John French, Justin McManus, Louise Kennerley, Luis Ascui, Mark Crusty Baker, Martine Perret, Max Mason Hubers, Meredith O’Shea, Merv Bishop, Michael Amendolia, Michael Coyne, Moshe Rosenzveig, Nic Walker, Nick Moir, Nicola Bailey, Noel Butcher, Paul Blackmore, Penny Stephens, Peter Solness, Richard Wainwright, Rick Stevens, Rob Maccoll, Robert McFarlane, Simon O’Dwyer, Stephen Dupont, Sylvia Liber, Tim Page, Tobias Titz and Tracey Nearmy.

Many Thanks to the Head On crew of Moshe, Anita, Stephen, India, Georgia and Talia for putting on a truly awesome festival.

Finally … two further things … happy to report that my image “Scooter” (Paralympian Grant Patterson) was selected as semi-finalist in the Head On Portrait Prize (image below) … and that in a very, very, VERY rare occurrence fellow photographer lovely Iceland based Serena Dzenis managed to con me into being the subject (hate that) of a damn photograph at my Reservoir Gardens exhibition (bottom below). No idea how she managed that …

Images © Brian Cassey (top five) & Serena Dzenis (bottom)

Head On Photo Festival 2022 - "(Selections From) A Photographer's Life - Part Two" - by Brian Cassey - at the Reservoir Gardens Paddington Sydney

Head On Photo Festival 2022 - "(Selections From) A Photographer's Life - Part Two" - by Brian Cassey - at the Reservoir Gardens Paddington Sydney

Head On Photo Festival 2022 - "Paper Tigers" exhibition of Australian photojournalism - Curated by Brian Cassey and Moshe Rosenzveig - at Delmar Gallery Ashfield Sydney

Head On Photo Festival 2022 - "Paper Tigers" exhibition of Australian photojournalism - Curated by Brian Cassey and Moshe Rosenzveig - at Delmar Gallery Ashfield Sydney

"Scooter" - Semi-Finalist in the Head On Portrait Prize 2022 - image by Brian Cassey

Brian Cassey at his Head vOn Photo Festival exhibition "(Selection From) - A Photographer's Life - Part Two" at Reservoir Garden Paddington Sydney - image by Serena Dzenis

Walkley ‘Masterclass’ (and Walkley Presentation Eve) This Week … Hi Sydney !

Over the last couple of years since that damn virus reared it’s ugly knobbly profile, I’ve been trying to get back down to Sydney … each journey (five booked in all) very carefully planned to coincide with the ‘latest’ outbreak or lockdown. Missed out on several great events including two Head On Photo Festivals, a couple of exhibitions of my work … and the launch and exhibition of the ‘Paper Tigers’ Australian photojournalism project that I worked on with Moshe Rosenvzeig. It’s been a ‘bugger’ … (but, of course, a very minor inconvenience compared with those many more adversely effected by the pandemic.)

Don’t want to speak too soon … but Thanks to the Walkley Foundation (and Nikon Australia), in just a few days I’ll be winging my way to Sydney town to host a ‘Masterclass’ … ‘The Portrait & Photojournalism’ … and also attend the ‘delayed’ ’66th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism’ presentation night.

The invitation to my little talk about portraiture and photojournalism in Sydney came in the wake of my win in the Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize a couple of months back (see post here) with the image “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” … my third win in the prize in the last ten years and the reason for attending this years awards eve. The promo describes the event thus … “What makes a great portrait and when is a portrait photojournalism? Award-winning photojournalist Brian Cassey will discuss this question and the power of lighting, composition and how to achieve the best results. Plus the importance of building trust and rapport with your subject”.

So … it kicks off Thursday at high noon at Macleay College, Chippendale and will run for approximately two hours (no one will be allowed to fall asleep 🙂 ).

Next day … the Friday … the Walkley presentation eve event gets underway in Darling Harbour … really looking forward to that !

If  you are are in Sydney and fancy listening to me for a couple of hours you may book and find all the details of ‘The Portrait and Photojournalism’ event here … https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/masterclass-the-portrait-photojournalism-tickets-216702070727  … and in the image below.

Portrait here by Marc Steiner ©

 

 

The Portrait & Photojournalism - Walkley Masterclass by photographer Brian Cassey - Sydney Australia February 2022

More For The Awards Page …

… just about recovering from personal euphoria following my exhibition opening at the Court House Gallery and the Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize win (Thanks to all for your comments, likes etc etc !) … whilst in the meantime these items about some other very pleasant ‘recognitions’ and ‘mentions in dispatches’ have also arrived … for the record as follows …

Head On Portrait Prize Semi Finalist  … “The Yarrick Family of Kunhahaa” … screening at the Head On Portrait Prize exhibition now showing at Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney.

Australian Photography Awards … Two Shortlisted in ‘Documentary’ … “The Yarrick Family of Kunhahaa” & “Tears For George Floyd – 8 Minutes & 46 Seconds”.  Winners will be announced over the five days between November 29th and December 3rd.

Fotonostrum International Portrait Award – ‘Jury’s Special Selection’ by Art Streiber – “Tears For George Floyd – 8 Minutes & 46 Seconds”, “Kate – Waiting For Her New Breasts II” & “The Yarrick Family Of Kunhanhaa”.

International Photography Awards (IPA) – Highly Commended X 2 – ‘People’ – “The Yarrick Family Of Kunhanhaa” – ‘Editorial’ – “Tears For George Floyd – 8 Minutes & 46 Seconds”.

Black & White Spider Awards 16th Edition – Finalist Nominee X 4 in ‘Silhouette’ – “Charlie & the Pandemic”, ‘Portrait’ – “Ramnami” & “The Skin I’m In II’, ‘Photojournalism’ – “Tears For George Floyd – 8 Minutes & 46 Seconds”.

Very pleased about that. The complete list of ‘Awards’ … (shameless self promotion) … can be found here … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/awards/

Some will be aware that lots of these images (above) have been previously recognised in other awards and splashed around a lot lately … so … here’s two from the list (Black & White Spyder Awards) that havn’t 🙂 … for  “Charlie & the Pandemic” it’s a ‘first’ … and for “Ramnami” it’s a fourth gong (but I like it 😉  … below)

Images © Brian Cassey

Black & White Spyder Awards -Nominee - Silhouette - "Charlie & the Pandemic" by Brian Cassey

Black & White Spyder Awards - Nominee - Portrait - "Ramnami" by Brian Cassey

‘Paper Tigers’ … on ‘Google Arts & Culture’ …

Delighted to learn that ‘Paper Tigers’ … the compilation of the work of sixty Australian photojournalists curated by myself and Head On Photo Festival director Moshe Rosenvzeig OAM … now has another great published ‘airing’ on the distinguished ‘Google Arts & Culture’ platform (including, of course, my contribution ‘Abdullatif – Beaten Asylum Seeker’ – below – from one of the GA&C pages).

It was a (lengthy) and rewarding pleasure to work with Moshe to collate this project … and wonderful to see it now showing on a new platform amongst significant works from the Worlds leading museums and archives including (but far, far from ‘not only’) MoMa in New York, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Tate Britain in London.

‘Paper Tigers – an Anthology of Australian Contemporary Photojournalism’ has already been exhibited to acclaim ‘on the walls’ at the ‘Twenty Twenty Six Gallery’ in Sydney (during last years Head On Photo Festival) and is also available in book form on the Head On website at … https://www.headon.com.au/product/paper-tigers-book … (if it hasn’t already sold out again).

The ‘Paper Tigers’ works can now be found on the ‘Google Arts & Culture’ platform at … https://artsandculture.google.com/search/exhibit…

Thanks to all the contributing PJ’s (some of which I nagged mercilessly) and the amazin’ Head On Photo Festival team.

#headonphotofestival #photojournalismaustralia

‘Abdullatif’ Image … ‘Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize’ Winner 2016 © Brian Cassey

'Paper Tigers' on the Google Arts and Culture site - curated by Brian Cassey and Moshe Rosenvzeig - image by Brian Cassey

“Paper Tigers” … Being There … and Not Being There …

Only TWO more days (Saturday and Sunday) to see the “Paper Tigers” exhibition … the work of sixty of Australia’s fine photojournalist contingent … on the walls of the ‘Twenty Twenty Six Gallery’ in Bondi, Sydney.

The Head On Photo Festival “Paper Tigers” featured exhibition was a year in the making … and made it’s debut strictly ‘online’ earlier in May this year. Covid postponed the physical exhibition of works … until now.

Each of the sixty contributors supplied images they seemed most appropriate … and Head On’s founder/director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and myself curated the selections down to a single image from each. The result is a fascinating multi faceted collection of Australian photojournalism from across the decades.

To quote the Head On web site … “The exhibition celebrates photojournalism at a time when the need for truthful journalism has never been more critical and takes us back to critical moments through recent Australian and world history, and the images by which we remember them”.

These are the sixty so talented contributors that made it happen … Alex Coppel, Andrew Chapman, Angela Wylie, Ashley Crowther, Barbara McGrady, Ben Bohane, Brendan Beirne, Brian Cassey, Chris Hopkins, Craig Golding, Craig Greenhill, Darrian Traynor, Dave Tacon, David Dare Parker, David Gray, Dean Lewins, Dean Sewell, Delly Carr, Eddie Safarik, Edwina Pickles, Gerrit Fokkema, Glenn Campbell, Glenn Lockitch, Grant Wells, Helga Salwe, Ilana Rose, Jaime Murcia, Jake Nowakowski, Janie Barrett, Jessica Hromas, John Donegan, John French, Justin McManus, Louise Kennerley, Luis Ascui, Mark Crusty Baker, Martine Perret, Max Mason Hubers, Meredith O’Shea, Merv Bishop, Michael Amendolia, Michael Coyne, Moshe Rosenzveig, Nic Walker, Nick Moir, Nicola Bailey, Noel Butcher, Paul Blackmore, Penny Stephens, Peter Solness, Richard Wainwright, Rick Stevens, Rob Maccoll, Robert McFarlane, Simon O’Dwyer, Stephen Dupont, Sylvia Liber, Tim Page, Tobias Titz and Tracey Nearmy. Thank You All …

Thanks to Covid-19, many could not make it to the exhibition opening last Saturday in Bondi. However, ‘Paper Tigers’ contributor photojournalists Dean Sewell, Ben Bohane, Mark ‘Crusty’ Baker, Tracey Nearmy, Glen Lockitch, Michael Amendolia and, of course, Head On’s Moshe Rosenzveig were present to celebrate … lucky them ! The former curator of photography at The State Library of New South Wales, Alan Davies, was also on hand at the opening to cast his experienced eye over the works.

I was really gutted that I couldn’t make the journey to Bondi myself … and to visit Paddington Reservoir Gardens where my other exhibition “Me Too … Where The Boys Are … The Girls Are” was also ‘on the wall’ as part of the photo festival. Them’s the breaks … but more is in the pipeline for this significant and historic exhibition down the track.

Time is now running out … just two days to take in “Paper Tigers” at ‘Twenty Twenty Six Gallery’ in Bondi … go see it.

 

NB … For the many that couldn’t (or can’t) make it to the physical exhibition of works on the wall, the “Paper Tigers” book (see bottom image below) is available to order on the Head On Photo Festival web site at … https://www.headon.com.au/product/paper-tigers-book

Image © Brian Cassey … my work ‘Abdullatif’ with Alan Davies and Glen Lockitch – top © Michael Amendolia … gallery panorama © Michael Amendolia … bottom two (including “Paper Tigers” book) © Moshe and the Head On Photo Festival

'Paper Tigers' - Head On exhibition of Australian photojournalism - co-curated by Moshe Rosenzveig & Brian Cassey

'Paper Tigers' exhibition of Australian photojournalism - co-crated by Brian Cassey & Head On's Moshe Rosenzveig

'Paper Tigers' exhibition of Australian photojournalism - co-crated by Brian Cassey & Head On's Moshe Rosenzveig

'Paper Tigers' exhibition book - published by Head On Photo Festival - by Moshe Rosenzveig & Brian Cassey

 

 

East Side FM Interview … Photojournalism, ‘Paper Tigers’ & ‘Strippers’

As a news piece and as a promo for the 2020 “Works on the Wall’ section of the Head On Photo Festival, I had the pleasure of a lengthy ‘on air’ chat with East Side FM’s journalist Paul Neeson. It aired on the Sydney radio station on the Monday morning of the 9th November … the same time as my personal Head On exhibition “Me Too … Where The Boys Are … The Girls Are” (see the blog post and images here) opened to the public in Reservoir Gardens, Paddington.

Paul asked all the right questions … and the subjects discussed crossed photojournalism, portraiture, my work and my current exhibitions “Me Too … (etc)” … and “Paper Tigers” … the exhibition and book on the work of sixty Australian photojournalists that I co-curated with Head On’s Moshe Rosenzveig. “Paper Tigers” is on the walls of the new “Twenty Twenty Six Gallery” in Bondi until the 22nd of November.

The interview, which runs for a little over twenty one minutes, can be accessed here below.

Two Exhibitions in Sydney … (If Only I Could Get There !) …

Moshe Rosenzveig and the crew of the 2020 Head On Photo Festival performed miracles earlier on this year as Covid-19 tightened it’s grip on Australia and the planet. They transformed a massive ‘venue’ based photography festival into the World’s first ‘On Line’ photo festival in a matter of just a few short weeks … and opened on time in the first weeks of May. The ‘On Line’ awards, artist talks, photography workshops and panel talks were aired on screens to thousands watching and listening around the planet and across Australia. An amazing effort …

With gallery spaces ‘out of bounds’ due to Covid the more traditional (and aesthetically more pleasing) ‘photographs on walls’ exhibitions reluctantly had to be put on ‘hold’.

I had two involvements in this years Head On ‘On Line’ photo festival … a personal exhibition “Me Too … Where The Boys Are … The Girls Are” (a photo essay on the performance of male strippers and their female audience) … and the co-curation (with Moshe Rosenzveig) of a project close to the heart … “Paper Tigers” … a collection of the work by sixty of Australia’s finest photojournalists. Both received large views on-line.

Now six months later, as Covid cases thankfully take a massive dive, these two exhibitions and work by many others are showing physically ‘on the walls’ (and fences) in numerous galleries and at venues around Sydney. Brilliant … and astonishing work by Head On !

Very sadly … I can’t ‘B’ well get there ! My Queensland Premier has stood fast to her decision that the borders between the Sunshine State and Sydney will remain firmly shut till (extremely annoyingly) at least the first of December … just days after these exhibitions close. The way of the World in 2020 … but I’m still gutted …

My exhibition “Me Too … Where The Boys Are … The Girls Are” opened yesterday on the wall at the fabulously atmospheric venue of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens … and runs there alongside four other great exhibits until the 29th of November. Photographer colleague, mate and gentleman Michael Amendolia went out of his way to lessen the blow of not ‘being there’ by sending me a raft of images of my exhibition in place (below). Thanks Michael !

The “Paper Tigers” exhibition (and the launch of the “Paper Tigers” book) opens at the new ‘Twenty Twenty Six Gallery’ in Bondi tomorrow … with an official opening this Saturday afternoon. Many of my Sydney based colleagues will be attending (lucky them) … whilst us interstate contributors will have to be patient until further opportunities eventuate down the track.

There will be more on ‘Paper Tigers’ … how it came about, what it contains and why it is important … a little later when I receive some images from colleagues who get to attend the gallery …

In the meantime … Paul Neeson from Sydney radio station East Side FM and I had an ‘on air’ chat about my work and both these exhibitions and the Head On Photo Festival in general. It runs for just over twenty one minutes and can be listened to here below. There is also an online text story on “Me Too … Where The Boys Are … The Girls Are” here.

 

Damn that bloody virus !

Images © Brian Cassey (two pics from “Me Too … “Where The Boys Are … The Girls Are” and my “Paper Tigers” image “Abdullatif” … & … Michael Amendolia (top 2 General Exhibition pics)

Head On Photofestival 2020 - Paddington Reservoir Gardens - "Me Too - Where The Boys Are ... The Girls Are" - exhibition of work by Brian Cassey

Head On Photofestival 2020 - Paddington Reservoir Gardens - "Me Too - Where The Boys Are ... The Girls Are" - exhibition of work by Brian Cassey

Head On Photofestival 2020 - Paddington Reservoir Gardens - "Me Too - Where The Boys Are ... The Girls Are" - exhibition of work by Brian Cassey

Head On Photofestival 2020 - Paddington Reservoir Gardens - "Me Too - Where The Boys Are ... The Girls Are" - exhibition of work by Brian Cassey

Head On Photofestival 2020 - Twenty Twenty Six Gallery - Bondi - "Paper Tigers" - exhibition of work by 60 Australian photojournalists co-curated by Brian Cassey

Paper Tigers, Strippers … & Head On Photo Festival

… it started with a germ of an idea and took nigh on a year to come to fruition … but “Paper Tigers – an Anthology of Contemporary Australian Photojournalism” is now very much a reality as an exhibition and a book.

My initial idea of a print swap of work between Australia’s talented photojournalists morphed into something much grander after a long chat with Head On Photo Festival director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM.

Moshe enthusiastically grasped the implications of the project … the like of which he confessed had been close to his heart for some years. Our combined plan grew into a featured exhibition of the work of Australia’s media photographers at Paddington Town Hall during this years Head On Photo Festival, a book of the exhibition and an exhibition ‘event’ for photographers to meet, admire their work and swap prints.

So began the task of ‘mustering’ Australia’s talented photojournalists … an ‘interesting’ exercise to invite, confirm participation and collate the collection of work … one image from each. In the end we had to draw a line at sixty.

The list is exceedingly impressive … in alphabetical order … Alex Coppel, Andrew Chapman, Angela Wylie, Ashley Crowther, Barbara McGrady, Ben Bohane, Brendan Beirne, Brian Cassey, Chris Hopkins, Craig Golding, Craig Greenhill, Darrian Traynor, Dave Tacon, David Dare Parker, David Gray, Dean Lewins, Dean Sewell, Delly Carr, Eddie Safarik, Edwina Pickles, Gerrit Fokkema, Glenn Campbell, Glenn Lockitch, Grant Wells, Helga Salwe, Ilana Rose, Jaime Murcia, Jake Nowakowski, Janie Barrett, Jessica Hromas, John Donegan, John French, Justin McManus, Louise Kennerley, Luis Ascui, Mark Crusty Baker, Martine Perret, Max Mason Hubers, Meredith O’Shea, Merv Bishop, Michael Amendolia, Michael Coyne, Moshe Rosenzveig, Nic Walker, Nick Moir, Nicola Bailey, Noel Butcher, Paul Blackmore, Penny Stephens, Peter Solness, Richard Wainwright, Rick Stevens, Rob McColl, Robert McFarlane, Simon O’Dwyer, Stephen Dupont, Sylvia Liber, Tim Page, Tobias Titz, Tracey Nearmy.

When it comes to media photographers Australia is, indeed, a ‘Lucky Country’.

Then … along came Covid-19 …

It has long amazed me how the tiny Head On team (currently Moshe, partner Anita Schwartz, Stephen, Anna and Paula) manage to put together the far reaching and monumental photo festival that it has become. It enjoys and includes contributions and entries from the best around the planet … and a World wide reputation. For a moment Coronavirus threatened all that …

However, Moshe was not fazed … and the massive work of converting the entire festival to an ‘online’ event began. That online event has now been underway for two weeks … and has been revolutionary in it’s presentation of exhibitions, artist talks, panel talks, photo related workshops, award announcements and more.

Paper Tigers has played a significant part in this Head On festival. The exhibition is available … all sixty works by sixty photojournalists … online (a simple registration required), the book ‘Paper Tigers’ (see my book image ‘Abdullatif’ top below) is now available for purchase on the website … and Head On hosted a fascinating online panel talk around the work and Australian photojournalism. It is planned to still show the physical exhibition of the complete work on the walls and host the photographers ‘do’ and print swap at Paddington Town Hall early in November (hopefully post Covid).

Below are just two of the sixty wonderful images that make up the ‘Paper Tigers’ collection. Dean Sewell’s ‘Bruce’ from 1999 and Nic Walker’s ‘Rite of Passage’ from 2014. The other 58 are just as impressive.

Amongst the massive amount of brilliant photography on line in this years festival I was also pleased to present my own little ‘featured’ exhibition. “Me Too ! Where the Boys Are … the Girls Are” showcases my work covering the MenX burlesque group during their tour to Cairns whilst being filmed for a Vice TV show. It shows the interaction between the guys who are performing and doing a job (without much in the way of clothing) and the young female audience who willingly participate. The exhibition may be found online on the Head On website (again with a simple registration) … and I did mange to stumble through an online ‘artist talk’ on the subject for those brave enough or with time to waste 🙂 . (NB – link to recorded ‘artist talks’ will be down the track.) Two of my images from the exhibition (which also should be physically on the wall in November) are below.

Lastly … was also pleased to see one of my most successful images … ‘Generations – Aurukun’ (yes … you’ve probably seen it before but it’s (bottom) below anyway 🙂 ) … selected as a semi-finalist in this festivals Portrait Prize. It’s also included in the Portrait Prize video here at the 1:18 mark.

The Head On Photo Festival 2020 has just a few days left to run. If you havn’t visited yet and you have any interest in photography at all I strongly suggest you visit and enjoy. Moshe, Anita, Anna, Stephen and Paula have done a remarkable job.

Images © … Brian Cassey & Head On (top), Dean Sewell, Nic Walker and Brian Cassey (bottom three).

@headonphotofestival

 

Head On - Paper Tigers - Book - photojournalism - 'Abdullatif' by Brian Cassey

Head On - Paper Tigers Book - 'The Block' - image by Dean Sewell - Oculi

Head On - Paper Tigers - Book - image by Nic Walker

Head On - 'Me Too - Where the Boys Are ... the Girls Are' - image and exhibition by Brian Cassey

Head On - 'Me Too - Where the Boys Are ... the Girls Are' - image and exhibition by Brian Cassey

Head On Portrait Prize - Semi-Finalist - 'Generations - Aurukun' - by Brian Cassey

Moran & Head On Photo Festival … Sydney Wrap & Chat …

A packed ten days in Sydney town … (with a quick dash back to Cairns in the middle.)

Plenty of reasons to make the trek to Sydney for the 10th Head On Photo Festival … my “Rain Over Black Mountain” work on the walls of the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize Finalist exhibition and a fantastic prize announcement eve bash …  an ‘artist talk’ to a nice receptive crowd at the Moran Prize Juniper Hall Gallery … hanging and the opening of my “18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre” Head On exhibition at White Rhino Artspace … a glimpse of my Head On Portrait Prize semi-finalist “Tomotaro on the Block” at Paddington Town Hall … AND the opportunity to see brilliant work on many and varied exhibition walls and spend some quality time with many photo colleagues and friends old and new. It all went far too fast …

I could rave on for pages about the all the happenings over the ten days … but will have to abbreviate this just to the (many) highlights … here goes …

The grand opening eve of the 10th Head On Photo Festival and announcement of prize winners … including the camaraderie in the pub afterwards … with photographers David Dare Parker, Tracey Nearmy, Melanie Russell, Tami Xiang, Max Mason-Hubers, John Swainston and many more … pic editors News 360’s Neil Bennett and Fairfax’s Mags King … and photo industry personalities Alison Stieven-Taylor and Sally Brownbill.

A personal tour of the wonderful exhibition “Heat” at the Bondi Pavilion by the very talented photographer and great guy in question Paul Blackmore.

The opening eve of the exhibition of the work of infamous eccentric photographer Helmut Newtown in the gallery of the equally eccentric paparazzo Darryn Lyons … and the artist talks there by David Bowie photographer Masayoshi Sukita (who was celebrating his 81st birthday) and US music photographer Chris Cuffaro … followed by more pub natter with Natalie Grono, David DP, Max MH and more.

In Paddington Reservoir Gardens, the “Photos 1440” exhibition by the SMH with personal ‘commentary’ by pic editor Mags King and staff photographer Kate Geraghty … and also the brilliant images in “Like Last Years Snow” by Oded Wagenstein.

Head On ‘Conversations’ … two of the panel talks stood out … “Recapturing the Audience : Why is Nobody Paying Attention” … and “Truth, Lies and Censorship” (with US professor and artist Jennifer Greenburg outstanding in the later).

The great work of mate David Dare Parker covering the Rohingya story … “Exodus : Rohingya Refugee Crisis Bangladesh” … on the walls of the Delmar Gallery.

The truly memorable eve at the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize opening and 2019 results at Juniper Hall and the spill over into the Imperial Hotel next door (with a whole bunch of great photographers and mates). Great to see “Rain Over Black Mountain” on the walls amongst other finalist works from a host of so talented colleagues (too long to list but you know who you are !).

My little ‘chat’ (‘artist talk’) to a crowd on a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Juniper Hall for the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize.

Fantastic to see my work “18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre” on the walls again … this time at the ‘White Rhino Artspace’ as part of the Head On Photo Festival. A huge Thanks to ‘Rhinos’ Catie and Regula for their help hanging and organising a thoroughly enjoyable ‘opening’ event that attracted many visitors … some of which were old friends/colleagues who I hadn’t seen for many years.

Lastly, but nowhere near least, the fabulous hospitality shown by the Head On Photo Festival crew … both widely across the entire festival and at the Paddington Town Hall ‘Hub’. Moshe (OAM), Anita, Stephen, Paula and all of you … I profusely Thank You !

Below … from top … Images © Brian Cassey … “Rain Over Black Mountain” on the wall of the beautiful Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize gallery, Juniper Hall … White Rhino Artspace owners Catie and Regula hang my “18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre” work on the walls of their St Leonard’s gallery … the Head On Photo Festival crew (with director Moshe Rosenzvieg OAM second for left) during the “18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre” exhibition launch at White Rhino Artspace … my Head On Portrait Prize semi-finalist work “Tomotaro on the Block” displayed at the Head On festival ‘Hub’, Paddington Town Hall.

'18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre' - exhibition at White Rhino Artspace, Sydney - work by Brian Cassey

'18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre' - exhibition at White Rhino Artspace, Sydney - work by Brian Cassey

Head On Portrait Prize 2019 - 'Tomotaro on the Block' - semi-finalist image by Brian Cassey

Tanks Exhibition … From 8th December …

The Tanks Arts Centre (Cairns) November/December program of events is hot off the press … and has brought home the reality that the time for my next exhibition is getting close.

“A Photographer’s Life – Part One” will be opening in Cairns on December 8th … and running to the 23rd December (closed for Xmas and New Year) and open again from 2nd to the 30th January.

Very much a retrospective (and in a way introspective) journey through my love affair with the camera and the photographic image from the very first day I clicked a shutter … and continuing on through the decades. It contains many images made in Cairns and tropical north Queensland … and many more from around the planet. Much of the camera and photographic ‘hardware’ from across the decades will also accompany the show. Below is the promotional page from just published ‘The Tanks’ events program.

Tank 4 at Cairns Tanks Arts Centre is a fantastic venue and my sincere thanks is more than due to venue curator Chris Stannard and his team. This will be my second exhibit at Tank 4 following the “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” in 2014.

“A Photographer’s Life – Part One” already enjoyed an ‘ugely successful month long showing during this years Head On Photo Festival in Sydney at the beautiful heritage listed Juniper Hall, Paddington.

You are invited on the 8th December … and more than welcome on that or any other day … so If you fancy … please whack the dates in your diary … will be great to see you there.

Image © Brian Cassey

"A Photographer's Life - Part One" - exhibition at The Tanks Arts Centre Cairns from December 8th 2017 - by Brian Cassey

Sydney Unhanging … & World Press …

Back from a quick trip down to Sydney to ‘dehang’ the “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” exhibition at Juniper Hall … and made the most of the two and a bit days in the harbour city.

Was fortunate to score the help of not one, but two, lovely ‘assistants’ during Mondays take down and packing of the works from the exhibition walls. Both Jewel Isaacs (a great friend from my early days in Cairns who I hadn’t caught up with for several decades) and Jennifer Allison (fellow UK ‘ex-pat’ and now a passionate new full time photographer based in Sydney) turned up to lend a hand.

With the exhibition prints duly dispatched back to Cairns, Jen and I took time out to see some of the last Head On Photo Festival exhibitions of this years festival at the Gaffa Gallery … including Matthew Portch’s “Lost America”, John Dobson’s “Suburbia” and Sissy Reyes’s “The Martians Are Coming”. Some intriguing work …

However, the undoubted highlight was a several hour visit (Tuesday before the flight back home) to Australia’s oldest library – the State Library of New South Wales – to see the “2017 World Press Photo Exhibition”. If you haven’t yet made it to this years brilliant World Press exhibition I strongly suggest you do … there is nothing better than seeing these absolutely amazing images from the Planet’s best photojournalists exceedingly well lit, printed large and displayed around the library’s cavernous old walls for maximum impact. The words and stories surrounding the images also stir the emotions. The “2017 World Press Photo Exhibition” runs till the 25th June.

(If you do make it to the State Library for World Press … an added bonus is that there is another exhibition on the same floor by Sydney street portraitist Jon Lewis – “Beauty in Difference” – that is also well worth your attention.)

 

BBC 5 Live Interview

Prior to the launch of my exhibition “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” at the 2017 Head On Photo Festival in Sydney, I was interviewed by my old mate BBC Australia correspondent Phil Mercer.

The BBC 5 Live interview, hosted by Phil and Rhod Sharp, became a rather lengthy affair and touched on my photographic work over the decades, the then pending exhibition in Sydney, various aspects of photography and photojournalism … and my life in the UK and Australia. It runs for near 22 minutes.

Tokyo International … Result …

A very welcome email arrived just a day or two before Christmas with the news that two of my works had been selected as winners in the inaugural edition of the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA’s).

‘TIFA’ …  a new event on the calendar … aims “to recognize, reward and expose talented photographers from around the world and introduce them to the creative community in Japan”.

My works selected were … Gold (First Place) in ‘Editorial Personality’ for the portrait ‘The Skin I’m In’ of burns survivor Carol Mayer … and Silver (First Place) in ‘Moving Image Essay’ for my short film ‘Eyes – the Soul of a Photograph’. Both works have featured previously in other awards.

They will be shown alongside other works during the winners exhibition at the Owada Gallery, Shibuya Cultural Center Owada, 23-21 Sakura-gaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo … with the grand opening eve on February 25th. Sadly, I doubt I will be able to take up the invitation.

All Images © Brian Cassey

'The Skin I'm In' - portrait of Carol Mayer - Winner - 'Editorial - Personality', Tokyo International Foto Awards 2016 - image by Brian Cassey

Head On Shenanigans & Finalists …

The Head On Photo Festival continues it’s meteoric and spectacular growth.

This years month long Festival kicked off in style on May 1 at Town Hall Sydney – the Festival ‘Hub’ – and I was pleased to once again be a part of Australia’s eminent photo show thanks to Festival Directors Moshe Rosenzveig and Anita Schwartz. Opening eve was packed to the ornate Town Hall rafters with about 800 guests and nine top flight photo exhibitions – and a very welcome ‘welcome’ bar.

Described as ‘a veritable orgy of photography’ Head On Photo Festival this year consisted of over a hundred exhibitions and the work of several hundred photographers.

For me, a Highlight amongst all the brilliant exhibitions, opening nights, workshops, artist talks, award presentations, portfolio reviews, pop up studios, trivia evenings etc etc and bloody fantastic work … was a meal post Custom’s House wine and cheese which I shared with three US superstar photographers, a delightful colleague from Byron Bay and two photographers from Iran !! (I know … it’s sounding like the opening line of a ‘joke’).

Sharing pizzas, wine and photojournalism small talk that eve were Ben Lowy (renowned Getty Images photojournalist) and his partner Marvi Lacar (Facebook Pages picture editor) , Los Angeles Times Chief Photographer Michael Robinson Chávez , Iranian girls Saghar Amirazimi and Shiva Shakhesi, the gorgeous and so talented Natalie Grono,  … and myself …

An extremely convivial and fascinating ‘across the divide’ few hours … ! (Pizzas weren’t bad either)

Head On Award wise I was, indeed, fortunate to have my work selected as a Finalist in two categories – the prestigious ‘Head On Portrait Prize’ and the new ‘Head On Moving Image Prize’ – and included in the Portrait Prize exhibition at the Museum of Sydney (till June 8th) and the Moving Image show at Brenda May Gallery Waterloo (till June 6th). Both exhibitions are well worth a visit and a pleasure to humbly be a part of.

Below I’ve posted my Portrait Finalist image “Disko Meri” – a portrait of a night club hostess girl in Port Moresby PNG (Thank You Julie!) – and my Moving Image work “Eyes – The Soul of a Photograph”.

Many Thanks for the wonderful hospitality afforded me by the Head On Photo Festival crew – Kat Mills, Lauran Vohmann, John Slaytor, Jon Lewis, Moshe, Anita and many others … just brilliant …

Images © Brian Cassey

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Two In For Head On Prizes …

Amongst the mass of mostly annoying or pure spam emails received lately were two that were especially welcomed.  Both were from the crew at the Head On Prizes and contained the excellent news that my work had been selected as finalist in two categories of the prestigious awards – ‘Portraits’ and ‘Moving Image’.

I have previously had work selected in the ‘Portrait’ category … but this is a ‘first’ for me in the ‘Moving Image’ category.

Ten finalists have had their work selected in ‘Moving Image’ which is for small moving pieces (movies) combining any combination of multimedia, visual art, sound art, still or moving images or other media. Certainly isn’t my speciality so I’m incredibly gratified just to be amongst the ten!

The Head On Portrait Prize, now in its 12th year, is one of Australia’s most critically acclaimed photographic portrait prizes and has also received World wide recognition. In 2014 the Portrait Prize exhibition toured Internationally and it is expected that the 2015 Portrait exhibition will do the same.

So it’s particularly pleasing to make the Portrait finalist cut once again. (for news on my Head On Portrait Prize successes in previous years go to here and here.)

I’m not allowed to name or identify either of the finalist works at this time … but all will be revealed at the opening night of the ‘2015 Head On Photo Festival’ in Sydney on Friday 1st May. The ‘Portrait Prize’ exhibition will then run from the 2nd May till the 8th June at Sydney Living Museums … whilst the ‘Moving Image’ work will be displayed at the Brenda May Gallery Sydney from the 5th May till 6th June.

To keep abreast of the happenings at the Head On Photo Festival and Head On Prizes on social media use these tags … Hashtag – #headon15,  Facebook – @Head On Photo Festival​,  Twitter – @HeadOnPhotoFest,  Instagram – @headonphotofestival .

‘Genesis’ Story in Walkley Mag …

The latest edition of the Walkley Magazine has hit the streets … and within is published (at the request of the Walkley Foundation) “In the Beginning” … my story on the ‘Genesis Project’ exhibition.

‘Genesis’ developed from an a germ of an idea I had … to explore the early images of now experienced photographers …  the catalysts that transformed a child, teen or young adult into a potential devoted pro photographer. The moments when through creating an image they realised “this is what I want to do – become a photographer and make photographs – to capture life’s moments”.

The exhibition was a major featured event at this years Head On Photo Festival in Sydney. Was pretty chuffed when contacted by the Walkley Foundation and asked to contribute the ‘Genesis’ story to their prestigious magazine. Posted below are grabs of the three pages as published where you may read the story and see some of the images. (As mentioned in the previous post I was also asked to present a ‘power talk’ and visual presentation on the project at the Walkley ‘Storyology’ event in Sydney.)

There is more on the ‘Genesis Project’ on my blog at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/blog/2014/05/genesis-project-great-company/ … and … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/blog/publications/2014/05/genesis-france-world/ … and … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/blog/travel/2014/05/curating-genesis-project/

Images in these pages © Fiona Wolf, Katrin Koenning, Ben Lowy, Glenn Campbell, John Donegan, Chris Rainier and Brian Cassey

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Genesis – to France and the World …

… interest in “The Genesis Project” (see the previous post below) has been immediate … in particular a great article published in the excellent online daily World focused photography mag “L’Oeil de la Photographie” (“The Eye of Photography” if – like me – your French is a little rusty).

The article by photography journalist Alison Stieven-Taylor (Thanks Alison) can be found here … http://www.loeildelaphotographie.com/2014/05/22/festival/24961/sydney-head-on-2014-genesis-project … and below in a screen grab.

‘Genesis’ also gets a mention and some praise from “Head On Photo Festival” Director Moshe Rosenzveig in Alison’s story on the festival and Moshe’s work, also on “L’Oeil de la Photographie” at … http://www.loeildelaphotographie.com/2014/05/22/festival/24941/sydney-head-on-festival-moshe-rosenzveig-director

“The Genesis Project” is showing at the .M Contemporary Gallery, Ocean Street, Woollahra, Sydney until 8th June.

 

Genesis L'Oeil copy

‘The Genesis Project ‘ … in Great Company

… well that went orf well then !!  .M Contemporary Gallery, Sydney, was packed to the rafters last eve for the launch of “The Genesis Project” exhibition … my little project that has been a year in the making and a featured exhibition at the massive and currently rocking ‘Head On Photo Festival’ in Sydney.

Twelve of the nineteen photographers involved in the project – Ben Lowy, Murray Fredericks, Peter Solness, Fiona Wolf, Glenn Campbell, John Donegan, Sam Harris, Phil Hillyard, Craig Golding, Jon Lewis, Moshe Rosenzveig – (and me , of course) – turned up to see their work on the walls and talk ‘stuff’ … along with a score of other photographers and photographic personalities amongst a crowd of about a hundred. The crew at .M Contemporary were fabulous hosts and spoiled their guests with some top wines – Thank You’ hugely’ Louise,  Michelle and Candice.

The idea of the collected works is to explore at what point do photographers become photographers? What were the catalysts that transformed a child, teen or young adult into a potential devoted pro photographer. The moments when through creating an image they realised “this is what I want to do – to make photographs, become a photographer and … to capture life’s moments”.

The stories that the photographers have told about their lives, careers and images are fascinating, sometimes poignant and honest … and the words are as much a part of the success of the show as the great photographic works.

If you missed last nights goin’s on you can still catch the exhibition till the 8th of June at .M Contemporary Gallery, 37 Ocean Street, Woollahra. (if nothing else I have now worked out how to spell ‘Woollahra’!)

Below are a couple of quickies of the ‘Genesis’ photographers and other photographers and guests at the opening –

Top – left to right – Mike Bowers, Craig Golding, Ben Lowy, Fiona Wolf (with Phil Hillyard hiding over the rear right)

Centre – left to right – Murray Fredericks, John Donegan (kneeling), Craig Golding, Ben Lowy, Moshe Rosenzveig (kneeling), Glenn Campbell (rear), Jon Lewis (rear), Phil Hillyard (rear), Peter Solness (kneeling), Fiona Wolf,  Sam Harris  and myself.

Bottom – view of work and peoples heads … !

©images Brian Cassey

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Curating ‘The Genesis Project’ …

In just two weeks I will officially lose my ‘curatorial virginity’ when “The Genesis Project” – a feature and headlining exhibition event of the ‘2014 Head On Photo Festival’ – opens on May 20th at the ‘M Contemporary Gallery’ in Woollahra Sydney.

‘Genesis’ is the result of the germ of an idea, persistence and a lot of hard work … and the faith of ‘Head On’ director Moshe Rosenzveig.

The concept of the exhibit is to examine ‘at what point do photographers become photographers’ ?

What were the catalysts that transformed a child, teen, young adult into a potential devoted pro photographer. The moments when through creating an image they realised “this is what I want to do – become a photographer and make photographs – to capture life’s moments”.
I have asked renowned photographers from a range of photographic disciplines to delve back into their individual photography archives from childhood and onwards – and rediscover some of their first photographs taken on their first, sometimes primitive, cameras – images from their first rolls of colour – their first pics on an SLR – their first published photograph – and the moments that moved or excited them.
To tell the stories of those formative creative moments that helped mould them into the experienced passionate photographers that they have now become.

We have assembled fabulous unseen images and previously untold stories from our photographers who share their insights into their compelling work from their earlier days experimenting with or developing as a photographer and the pivotal moments in their careers.

Here is our impressive list of contributing photographers – Ben Lowy, Roger Ballen, Murray Fredericks, Chris Rainier, David Dare Parker, Fiona Wolf, Jackie Ranken, Katrin Koenning, Martine Perret, Sam Harris, Glenn Campbell, Jon Lewis, Peter Eastway, Craig Golding, John Donegan, Peter Solness, Phil Hillyard, Moshe Rosenzveig … and then there’s me too …

I thank them all.

All are more than welcome to attend the opening eve of a very different and engaging photographic exhibition, Tuesday May 20th from 6.30pm at ‘M Contemporary Gallery’, E37 Ocean Street, Woollahra, Sydney.

You may bag yourself a real photographic collectors item.

Below is one of my two personal ‘seminal’ images  – made many many  decades ago in Portugal on the first roll of colour transparency film I ever shot – that will be one of the works on sale at “The Genesis Project”. The image has been scanned directly from the original faded, mouldy and dusty Agfa slide. To see the full story behind behind it and the similar works of our contributing photographers please come to the exhibition that will run from opening night May 20th till June 8th.

Image © Brian Cassey

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Interview with Head On Photo Festival …

Following a win in the Head On Portrait Prize at the 2013 Head On Photo Festival Sydney with my image “Stockman” I was interviewed by the festivals Steve Marshall. The video interview covered my reaction to the win with the portrait of Aak Puul Ngantam stockman Dominic Ngakyunkwokka and my photography career to date. It runs for approximately two minutes.