Current Exhibitions

These images comprise about fifty monochrome photographs produced by members of the Fine Monochrome Print Group – a group supported by the Photographic Society of Qld with the objectives of fostering fine monochrome photography and the preservation of traditional darkroom (analogue) photographic techniques.

Through their membership of the group the exhibitors express their love of and active interest in the art and craft of creating finely detailed monochrome works. The exhibition contains images by Nick Caris, Ian Hanger, Frederick Hunt, Julian Pearce, Dmytro Poplavskiy, Marion Rodgers, Richard Stringer, Murray Thompson and Warren Veivers.

Each of the photographers have prepared for this exhibition a brief portfolio of images. These “folios” provide an opportunity for each photographer and viewer to explore a set of images tied together by a visual theme (sometimes provided by a common location and at other times by a unifying visual style). For some, the images form part of a larger body of work.

The techniques used in the exhibition range from platinum/palladium photographs (using 19th century photographic printing methods), to silver/gelatin prints (the dominant form of traditional photographic print material in the 20th century), to lith prints (which add a further dimension to silver/gelatin prints) to digitally produced images.

These are works by people with diverse backgrounds and interests, but sharing a desire to communicate with the viewer through contemporary photographic images.

This diversity is reflected in the broad scope of subject matter displayed in the exhibition. In many cases subjects are uncontrived, and the artist has no overt presence. Nevertheless, it becomes evident on further observation, that subtly, and also sometimes quite powerfully, in each image is apparent the photographer’s idiosyncratic artistic monochromatic rendition.

In these works, the subtraction of colour is employed to introduce an element of abstraction that distances the subject matter from the reality of everyday experience. The effect is often nuanced: it may profoundly influence the interaction with the receptive viewer, often revealing aesthetic and other qualities that would otherwise not be seen.

Some of these photographs make a purely aesthetic statement; they can be appreciated for the beauty of their subject matter, and also the beauty inherent in fine monochrome prints as objects themselves.

Many images present here reward close and considered examination (indeed a fine photographic print is often best appreciated when examined unframed, held in the hands). Close examination of the framed or unframed print permits an intimacy and a direct and subtle dialogue between viewer, image and photographer.

The contemplative viewer may also find in a number of these images a basis for social, ecological, philosophical and spiritual insights or journeys: the nature and intensity of these experiences may vary profoundly on revisitation.

The exhibition is supported by the Photographic Society of Qld.