Head On | Brian Cassey Photographer Cairns Australia

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

November 13th, 2020

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.

Posted in Play | Tagged 'Me Too ... Where The Boys Are ... The Girls Are", Australian photojournalists, Bondi, burlesque, East Side FM, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, male strippers, Paddington, Paper Tigers, Paul Neeson, photography exhibition, photojournalism, radio interview, Reservoir Gardens, sydney, Sydney radio, Twenty Twenty Six Gallery | Leave a comment

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

November 10th, 2020

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

Posted in Blog, Comment, Essays, Exhibitions, Images, Photographers, Publications, Radio & TV, Stories, Stories, Travel | Tagged 60 images from 60 Australian photojournalists, anthology of Australian photojournalism, Bondi, burlesque, documentary, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, male strippers, Me Too, Michael Amendolia, Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Paper Tigers, photojournalism, photojournalists, Twenty Twenty Six Gallery | Leave a comment

Paper Tigers, Strippers … & Head On Photo Festival

May 15th, 2020

… 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

Posted in Comment, Essays, Exhibitions, Images, Photographers, Publications, Stories, Travel | Tagged anthology of Australian photojournalism, anthology of Australian photojournalists, australia, burlesque, burlesque blokes, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Portrait Prize, male strippers, Me Too, NSW, online photo festival, photo festival, photojournalism, photojournalists, portrait prize, strippers, sydney, Where the Boys Are ... | Leave a comment

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

May 19th, 2019

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

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

Posted in Awards, Comment, Essays, Exhibitions, Images, Publications, Travel | Tagged 18 Minutes Inside Manus Detention Centre, asylum seekers, contemporary photography, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Portrait Prize, Juniper Hall, manus island, Manus Island Detention Centre, moran, Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, Moran Prizes, png, portrait prize, Rain Over Black Mountain, Sydney Festivals, White Rhino Artspace | Leave a comment

Tanks Exhibition … From 8th December …

October 21st, 2017

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

Posted in Awards, Blog, Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Publications | Tagged A Photographer's Life - Part One, A Photographers Life, Bernie McAuliffe, cairns, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, jockey, Juniper Hall, moran, photo exhibition, photographic retrospective, Tanks Arts Centre | Leave a comment

Sydney Unhanging … & World Press …

June 8th, 2017

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.)

Posted in Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Stories, Travel | Tagged 2017 World Press Photo, Gaffa Gallery, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, photojournalism, State Library of NSW, World Press, World Press Photo Exhibition | Leave a comment

Still On … “A Photographer’s Life” & Head On …

May 25th, 2017

There is still time left to visit “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” … my featured Head On Photo Festival 2017 exhibition in Sydney.

Despite the dual events of my exhibition opening and the festival opening now well over two weeks ago, both events are still going strong for yet another couple of weeks.

The launch of “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” on the beautiful walls of historic Juniper Hall (completed by convict settler Robert Cooper in 1824) surpassed expectations. Really special was the attendance of bloody brilliant news photographer colleagues Phil Hillyard, David Gray, Rick Stevens, Glenn Campbell, Dean Lewins, Michael Amendolia and Paul Blackmore (there’s an astonishing number of ‘Walkleys’ amongst that lot!).

The following day, Sunday, saw the obligatory exhibition ‘artist talk’ … and a couple of surprises. As the crowd gathered two old friends materialised that I had not seen for many years. Turning up unannounced in support (or to heckle) were … old mate from the Brisbane years way back – Jules Kovacs … and the eternally lovely Barbara Sotiriadis from the early days in Cairns. Wonderful …

Apart from the obvious exhibition opening, visiting amazin’ exhibitions and catching up with a host of great photographers and friends that I don’t see often enough or at all … a highlight of my week at Head On was to take a place on the panel in the festival key debate on the topical subject “Does photojournalism facilitate or counteract fake news?”.

Felt distinctly honoured to take a place on the panel alongside US documentary photographer Maggie Steber, Israeli photographer Natan Dvir, social media expert Kyla Woods, photojournalist and founder of Everyday Climate Change James Whitlow Delano and founder of Everyday Japan Q. Sakamaki … whilst Melbourne photography journalist Alison Stieven-Taylor took on the ‘moderation’ task. The top floor of The Beauchamp Hotel venue was packed for the vigorous and constructive hour plus of discussion. Great fun …

Perhaps it’s timely to say a huge ‘Thanks’ to Head On driving forces Moshe Rosenzveig and Anita Schwartz, Lauran Vohmann and the rest of the HO crew … also the great team at the Moran Foundation’s Juniper Hall headed by Cathy Brown and Craig Brush … and Sonja and Chris at Arthead Mossvale for their brilliant work printing the exhibition. Really appreciate all your collective efforts to make it such a success.

“A Photographer’s Life – Part One” continues at Juniper Hall, 250 Oxford St, Paddington 10am to 4pm Wednesdays to Sundays till June 4th.

Pics … from top … “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” opening event at Juniper Hall (top two), a bunch of very talented photojournalists (and me) at the exhibition opening (l to r – David Gray, Rick Stevens, Michael Amendolia, myself, Dean Lewins, Glenn Campbell and Phil Hillyard), Head On director Moshe Rosenzveig opens my exhibition, the photojournalism debate panel at the Beauchamp Hotel (l to r – Alison Steven-Taylor, Natan Dvir, Q. Sakamaki, Maggie Steber, James Whitlow Delano, myself and Kyla Woods), a couple of the walls of my exhibition at Juniper Hall … and a promotional work outside the Moran offices in the Sydney CBD.

Images © Brian Cassey (6), Michael Amendolia (1) and John Swainston (1)

Posted in Blog | Tagged 2017 Head On Photo Festival, A Photographers Life, Arthead, australia, exhibition, Head On, Head On Festival, Juniper Hall, Maggie Steber, moran, Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize, Moran Foundation, moran prize, Natan Dvir, Phil Hillyard, photojournalism, portraits, portraiture, Q. Sakamaki | Leave a comment

L’Oiel … Head On Festival Top Five …

May 12th, 2017

Pretty speechless about this … an article today in France’s brilliant photographic magazine “L’Oiel de la Photographie” (The Eye of Photography) by photographic journalist Alison Steven-Taylor has my Head On exhibition … “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” … as one of the top five exhibitions in the current “Head On Photo Festival” in Sydney.

Considering that this years “Head On Photo Festival” features photographers work in about a hundred and twenty exhibitions and locations around Sydney city … that is amazingly gratifying. Especially when, as I have seen, the amazing work from photographers around the planet who have been selected to exhibit their fantastic work on seemingly every available Sydney wall.

Alison rounded out her top five picks with Juli Balla’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends”, Dina Litovsky’s “Meatpacking”, Astrid Verhoef’s “Inscapes” and “Kings Cross 1970-1971” by Australian legend Rennie Ellis.

However, there are many other exhibitions at Head On this year that will also blow you away … including, but not only, “Amelia and the Animals” by Robyn Schwartz, brilliant “Bowie Unseen” by Marcus Klinco, Michael Amendolia’s work on sight restoration in Africa and Asia, Natan Dvir’s “Platforms” … and … Maggie Steber’s mesmerising “The Secret Garden of Lily Lapalma”.

I’ll be posting more about my exhibition and my time at the festival in the days to come. Do yourself a favour and try and take in as much as you can of one of the Planets greatest photography events.

Below … a screen grab from “L’Oiel de la Photographie” and Alison’s ‘top five’ exhibitions.

Images © Brian Cassey, text © Alison Steven-Taylor and “L’Oiel de la Photographie”.

Posted in Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Publications, Travel | Tagged A Photographer's Life - Part One, Alison Steven-Taylor, Head On, Head On Photo Festival 2017, L'Oiel de las Photographie, photojournalism, portraits, sydney | Leave a comment

BBC 5 Live & “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” …

May 10th, 2017

Prior to the last weekends 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, Head On Photo Festival and my featured “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” exhibition in Sydney, various aspects of photography and photojournalism … and my life in the UK and Australia. It runs for near 22 minutes.

Posted in Blog, Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Radio & TV, Stories, Travel | Tagged 2017 Head On Photo Festival, A Photographer's Life - Part One, BBC, BBC Radio, BBC5, BBC5Live, Head On, interview, Phil Mercer, photojournalism, portraiture, Rhod Sharp, sydney, UK | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Play | Tagged BBC, BBC Radio, BBC5, BBC5Live, Brian Cassey, Canberra, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Photo Festival 2017, interviews, National Photographic Portrait Prize, Phil Mercer, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, Rhod Sharp | Leave a comment

“A Photographer’s Life … “

April 28th, 2017

Just one week out from the opening of my very personal exhibition … “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” … at the wonderful Juniper Hall, Paddington, Sydney.

The exhibition assembled from across my decades of work has been quietly coming together over the past few months with the help of Moshe Rosenzveig from Head On … and is a featured exhibition of this years “Head On Photo Festival” which also kicks off across Sydney next weekend.

So it was timely and hugely appreciated to today get a massive plug for the exhibition from renowned photography journalist Alison Stieven-Taylor in her brilliant ‘Photojournalism Now’ industry newsletter.

‘Photojournalism Now’ is a must read one stop weekly read for all that is relevant and new in photography and photojournalism.

Alison introduces this weeks edition`on Facebook with this … “This week it’s all about Head On Photo Festival (Moshe Rosenzveig, Brian Cassey, Michael Amendolia, Maggie Steber, Dina Litovsky, Juli Balla) – check it out. This is a mind blowing line up and it’s only a preview.” … and personally I’m pretty ‘mind blown’ to be included in such a list of photographic talent 🙂

Alison goes on to excuse my Brit birth in her plug for “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” … below.

Thanks Alison … and looking forward to a thoroughly enjoyable exhibition and festival.

(“A Photographer’s Life – Part One” is showing at Juniper Hall, 250 Oxford St, Paddington, Sydney from May 6th till 4th June. The “Head On Photo Festival 2017” runs from May 5th to 28th May.)

Images © Brian Cassey

Photojournalism Now - Head On Photo Festival 2017 - Brian Cassey

Posted in Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Travel | Tagged A Photographer's Life - Part One, A Photographers Life, Alison Steven-Taylor, Head On, Head On Photo Festival 2017, Juniper Hall, photojournalism, photojournalism now, portraits, sydney | Leave a comment

Tokyo International … Result …

January 8th, 2017

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

Posted in Awards, Blog, Comment, Exhibitions, Images | Tagged australia, Awards, Brisbane, exhibition, Eyes - the Soul of a Photograph, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, photojournalism, portraits, portraiture, TIFA, Tokyo, Tokyo International Foto Awards, walkley | Leave a comment

Julie … “Disko Meri” … Found ! …

June 6th, 2016

I mentioned in a post back in April – “Disko Meri Does It Again” – that I had been so far unable to let my Papua New Guinea bar girl subject Julie know about the success of her portrait in various photography events and awards around the planet over the last couple of years … Sydney (Head On Portrait Prize) and Cairns (QMMA Awards) Australia, New York City (Photoville 2015), Moscow (MIFA), Hyderabad India (Head On) and the ‘International Color Awards’ to name but a few.

I made the image at the Diamond Club in a not too salubrious part of Port Moresby. The club does not have a telephone or internet presence and it was impossible to contact her.

So … during a nights stopover in Port Moresby on my way to Manus Island a few weeks ago I dropped into the Diamond Club armed with a print and accompanied by PNG friends Margo and Raymond. At first it seemed that Julie would never know as we were told she no longer works at Diamonds. Fortunately someone found her brother in law who was in the club that eve and he offered to jump in a taxi (at our expense) and go and pick her up.

About an hour later a very bemused and rattled Julie arrived and was presented with a large print and told of her World wide fame. Julie explained that she was no longer working and was now a (single) mother of twins!

In the two years since I made the image Julie had changed from a confident up front bar girl into a quieter softer more lissome young mother of two baby boys. She said she was going to give the print to her mum …

Below is a pic © Raymond Nugent (Thanks Raymond) … of Julie in the Diamond Club with her print.

Disko Meri - Julie - Diamond Club - PNG - Print - Brian Cassey

Posted in Blog | Tagged bar girl, Diamond Club, Disko Meri, Head On, International Color Awards, MIFA, nightclub, papua new guinea, Photoville, png, Port Moresby, portrait, QMMA | Leave a comment

“Disko Meri” Does It Again …

April 14th, 2016

“Disko Meri” – an image I made of nightclub bar girl Julie in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – has been recognised yet again, taking out an “Honourable Mention” in the ‘Portrait’ category of the prestigious “9th International Color Awards”.

The planet wide annual photography awards bill themselves as “The World’s most watched photo show” and all winners were announced in a four and a half hour live streaming online event. Must admit I missed that bit …

“Disko Meri” has received quite a bit of attention over the past year or so … and previously was recognised in the ‘Head On Portrait Prize’, the ‘Moscow International Foto Awards’ (MIFA) and the ‘Queensland Multi Media Awards’.

Sadly … I have not been able to thank my subject Julie personally so far. The bar where she works in Port Moresby does not have either a phone number or internet presence. I intend on my next visit to Port Moresby to make it a priority to visit her again at the ‘Diamond Club’ to thank her and present her with a print … the very least I can do.

Below … and at the risk of boring you with it again … is the portrait of Julie – “Disko Meri”

Image © Brian Cassey

"DISKO MERI - PNG Bar Girl" - Honorable Mention 9th International Color Awards - Brian Cassey

Posted in Awards, Comment, Exhibitions, Travel | Tagged 9th International Color Awards, bar girl, Disko Meri, Head On, International Color Awards, MIFA, papua new guinea, Port Moresby, portrait, portraiture, QMMA's | Leave a comment

‘Head On’ Blog Feature …

November 19th, 2015

Nice to be included amongst great company in the ‘Head On Photo Festival’ blog ‘Best Lessons in Photography’ feature – alongside current ‘Nikon Walkley Press Photographer of the Year’ (and bloody genius), Andrew Quilty – and ‘Head On Landscape Prize’ winner, Alfonso Perez de Velasco.

In retrospect – perhaps I should have put just a little more thought into the photography ‘tip’ that I provided for the ‘Best Lessons’ segment – but I was off choofing around the countryside when the call from Head On’s Lauran Hohmann arrived. (Yeah, no excuse I know).

Lauran also posted four examples of my work along with the segment … and Lauran … I’m very grateful !

The work and the photography ‘tip/lesson’ (?) are shown in the screen grab below – or can be seen alongside the work of Andrew and Alfonso on the ‘Head On’ blog site at … https://www.headon.com.au/blog/best-lessons-photography-brian-0

Images © Brian Cassey

Posted in Blog, Comment, Images, Publications | Tagged Head On, Head On blog, Head On Festival, photo lessons, photojournalism, portraits | Leave a comment

New York, New York & Photoville …

September 15th, 2015

Feeling extremely fortunate to be in New York for this years ‘Photoville’ festival of photography – a brilliant feast of fine photography set in and around 60 odd shipping containers on the banks of the East River Brooklyn overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

Photoville is only four years young … but has grown quickly into a vibrant showcase of the Worlds best photojournalism, documentary and fine art work. Highlights – and there were very many – included the works of Graham Macindoe (American Exile: Detained, Deported and Divided), Daniel Berahulak (Scenes from the Ebola Crises), Dougie Wallace (Stag, Hens & Bunnies: A Blackpool Story), Stephanie Sinclair (Too Young to Wed), Matt Black (The Geography of Poverty), Misha Friedman (The Iron Closet) and Ruddy Roye (When Living is a Protest) – although to single these out for their excellence is not to disparage the amazing works of a total of over four hundred contributing artists. (For more info on artists and their work check out Photoville’s web site here).

Thanks to the inclusion of the 2015 Head On Portrait Prize – and director of the Head On Photo Festival Moshe Rosenzveig – I had every reason to make the trek to Brooklyn. The 2015 Head On Portrait Prize exhibition was displayed in the centre of the Photoville site gracing the entire side of a massive shipping container … and included my image “Disko Meri”.

The festival opening day was shared with the 14th anniversary of the Twin Towers terror attacks. That evening saw a great sunset over the Hudson and the Manhattan sky line whilst Getty Images projected their ‘Legacy Collection’ of images on the big screen. A poignant moment when the photograph of the Twin Towers exploding 14 years ago to the day appeared with, in the background from ground zero, the twin beams of the ‘Tribute of Lights’ piercing the clouds (see image below).

As well as thousands of compelling images to take in there are also numerous workshops and panel discussions by high profile photographers to attend – and there is also a beer garden!

Photoville runs until this Sunday September 20th.

I’d also like to sincerely thank talented NY photographer Natan Dvir for the very generous use of his cosy pad in the Lower East Side Manhattan for the duration, whilst he was on assignment in Romania. Thanks Natan … !

Below are images from Photoville – two featuring the 2015 Head On Portrait Prize exhibit.

Images © Brian Cassey 2015

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Posted in Awards, Blog, Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Travel | Tagged #headon15, #photovillenyc, Brooklyn, Head On, Head On Portrait Prize, Manhattan, New York, photojournalism, Photoville, USA | Leave a comment

One Response to New York, New York & Photoville …

Beautiful One Day ... | Brian Cassey Photographer Cairns Australia Says:
September 23rd, 2015
[…] the week before departing for the New York trip I had the very real pleasure of working alongside ultra talented journalist Trent Dalton at Palm […]

“Eyes” – Head On Finalist

June 21st, 2015

Very pleased that my multimedia piece “Eyes – the Soul of a Photograph” was chosen as one of only ten Finalists in the 2015 “Head On Moving Image Prize” – part of this years Head On Photo Festival. The ten selected works of amazing diversity and quality were shown continuously at the theatrette of the Brenda May Gallery in Waterloo Sydney during the month of May.

Images and Presentation © Brian Cassey

Posted in Play | Tagged eyes, Eyes - the Soul of a Photograph, Head On, Head On Moving Image, Moving Image Prize, photojournalism, soul | Leave a comment

2 Responses to “Eyes” – Head On Finalist

Robert Gesink Says:
November 19th, 2015
You have mastered to enter with out intimidation the faces of those who have suffered and thus shown the world their sadness as our lives continue as normal.
Beautiful work Brian… see you around in Freshie maybe.
Dessie’s mate.
Brian Cassey Says:
November 19th, 2015
Thanks Robert … V appreciated …

The Best Moving Images …

Here … courtesy of the Head On Photo Festival … are ten small teaser segments of each of the ten film works selected as Finalists in the ‘Head On Moving Image Prize’ … including my humble piece “Eyes – The Soul of a Photograph”.

The sheer variety of styles and quality of the other nine Finalists is astonishing … and I’m delighted to be one of the ten with my first entry attempt at this genre.

The complete works of the ten finalists screen from a minute to about about five minutes each – ‘Eyes’ is three minutes duration. Unfortunately the full length screenings of the ten finalists work at the Brenda May Gallery Sydney theatrette has now finished … but I’m sure Head On will pursue further avenues to display this great collection of ‘Moving Images’. Will keep you posted …

Posted in Awards, Comment, Exhibitions, Images | Tagged Eyes - the Soul of a Photograph, Head On, Head On Finalists, Head On Moving Image, Moving Image, photojournalism, sydney | Leave a comment

Head On Shenanigans & Finalists …

May 13th, 2015

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 …

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Posted in Awards, Comment, Essays, Exhibitions, Images, Travel | Tagged Ben Lowy, Head On, Head On Moving Image, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Portrait Prize, Michael Robinson Chavez, Moving Image, Moving Image Prize, photojournalism, portrait prize, portraits, sydney | Leave a comment

5 Responses to Head On Shenanigans & Finalists …

New York, New York & Photoville ... | Brian Cassey Photographer Cairns Australia Says:
September 15th, 2015
[…] Thanks to the inclusion of the 2015 Head On Portrait Prize – and director of the Head On Photo Festival Moshe Rosenzveig – I had every reason to make the trek to Brooklyn. The 2015 Head On Portrait Prize exhibition was displayed in the centre of the Photoville site gracing the entire side of a massive shipping container … and included my image “Disko Meri”. […]
Finalists, Finalists, Semi-Finalists ... | Brian Cassey Photographer Cairns Australia Says:
October 10th, 2015
[…] bar girl Julie entitled “Disko Meri” (the same image that was appeared as part of the Head On Portrait Prize exhibition). Looking forward to a big night on presentation eve at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino on Saturday […]
Didi S. Gilson Says:
February 10th, 2016
Just watched your fab “moving image” piece, Brian! Congrats on more stellar achievements since last we spoke. I met you @ the Head On portrait finalists exhibition back in 2013 (I think that’s the right year)… We both had work on display & yours was a second place winner if I’m remembering corectly. We were hung nearby one another & you were kind enough to text me to let me know that my portrait like yours was also part of the newspaper PR slideshow for the fest that year.

The HeadOn website redesign is a little wonky for me, but I’m planning on entering… probably landscapes not portraits this year.

Warm regards from Anna Bay, NSW,
Didi
Brian Cassey Says:
February 10th, 2016
Hi Didi … YES … remember we had a chat at the State Library in 2013. Many Thanks for your kind words !
Hope we have the opportunity to catch up again this year … fingers crossed Didi … !!
Brian
Brian Cassey Says:
February 10th, 2016
Hi Didi … YES … remember we had a chat at the State Library in 2013. Many Thanks for your kind words !
Hope we have the opportunity to catch up again this year … fingers crossed Didi … !!
Brian

Two In For Head On Prizes …

March 31st, 2015

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 .

Posted in Awards, Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Travel | Tagged Awards, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, Head On Portrait Prize, Moving Image, portrait, prizes, sydney | Leave a comment

Genesis – to France and the World …

May 23rd, 2014

… 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.

Posted in Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Publications | Tagged "L'Oeil de la Photographie", Genesis, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, the Genesis Project | Leave a comment

‘The Genesis Project ‘ … in Great Company

May 21st, 2014

… 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 … !

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Posted in Blog, Comment, Exhibitions, Images | Tagged Genesis, Genesis Project, Head On, Head On Photo Festival, photography exhibitions, photojournalism, sydney | Leave a comment

Curating ‘The Genesis Project’ …

May 6th, 2014

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.

GenesisBrianCasseyPortugalBlog

Posted in Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Travel | Tagged Head On, Head On Photo Festival, images, photographers, photography, photojournalism, sydney, the Genesis Project | Leave a comment

Cairns to Sydney to Kuala Lumpur …

June 18th, 2013

An event filled week ! Travelled back to Sydney to take in more of this years ‘Head On Photo Festival’, a bit of the ‘Reportage Photography Festival’, the first ‘Walkley Slide Night’ of 2013 … and … the opening at Global Gallery Paddington of my exhibition “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman”.

Straight after exhibition opening eve it was off to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia for the exhibition and winners announcement at Galeri Petronas of the “2013 Kuala Lumpur International Portrait Awards”.

“The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” exhibition was obviously a highlight … and Global Gallery was chockers with media photographer colleagues, friends and many others enjoying the ‘hospitality’. Moshe Rosenzveig from Head On kindly arrived to give the opening address.

The exhibition comprised fourteen near metre high prints of the entire mustering crew of the indigenous operated APN Cape York operation … including stockmen young and old, helicopter pilot, cook, junior Jillaroos, teacher … even newcomer stockman journalist Michel McKenna (who made the trip from Brisbane for the opening to admire his ‘visage’ !)

The “2013 Kuala Lumpur International Portrait Awards” was also a fantastic exhibition … well worth the effort and some fantastic work adorning the walls of Galeri Petronas under the twin towers … including my selected finalist image “Roustabout” of APN’s versatile do-it-all guy Perry Ward.

Printed almost two metres high on beautiful canvas and displayed spotlighted on a massive black wall, “Roustabout” certainly had the ‘wow’ factor as you entered the gallery! (see image below). Unfortunately it wasn’t selected as a top three winner. The winning image of a street band certainly was a very special image. Not so sure about second and third selected images tho’!

Below is a pic of the “Roustabout” image as it was displayed in KL … and a couple of pics from the Global Gallery APN exhibition opening eve in Paddington.

Ex Cairns Australia pic by Brian CasseyPic by Brian Cassey

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Posted in Awards, Comment, Exhibitions, Images, Travel | Tagged aak pull ngantam, Awards, exhibition, Head On, kuala lumpur, portrait, portrait awards, reportage, roustabout, stockman, sydney, walkley | Leave a comment