NPG - National Photographic Portrait Prize

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
by Adam Knott 2008

Based of first impression impact for me this photograph by Adam Knott would have been my preferred choice in taking out 1st place in the National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Being unframed the photograph is much more appealing and memorable with nothing to draw your eye away from the subject. The lighting used brings great depth to the subjects features at the same time spotlighting the importance behind this Aboriginal mans pride in his culture, achievements and experiances within his individuality. I find this image very inspiring. When I look at it, it reminds me of Martin Luther King's confidence behind his pride when voicing "I have a dream". It also sends across a strong message that no matter what you are, who you are, even if your unable to see, you can do anything you set your mind to, you can become anything/anyone you put yourself out to be.

Still life with vanitas symbols (after David Bailly)
by Kevin Best 2008

I would have cut this image from the final set because I don't find the image aesthetically appealing because of its poor framing, distracting the eye from the main subject. Also, the content of the photograph is more just clutter than symbolic objects. The self analysis from the photographer explains a relation in the photograph to global warming and uncertainty. However, the story the photographer is trying to display does not seem to be clearly evident in this portrait.

Primitivism

This subject has been extremely hard for me to get my head around especially with the massive workload we already have on top of us, but Ive given it a red hot go...

PRIMITIVISM

1. Formal Characteristics of Primitivist art

Rough application of what ever medium happened to be used (Paint, Pencil etc.)
Subjects were sexually accessible usually women, childlike and unsophisticated depicting a sense of exoticism, savagery, nobility, vulnerability, mythological and mysterious with flattening in physical planes. The artworks were non restrictive and generally simple with abstraction and distortion of figures/bodies and no specific technique or style/s.

2. What is the difference between "Primitive" and "Primitivism"?

Primitive is a term used to describe people from a non westernised society particularly those from an African, North American Indian, and Oceanic cultured area. Basically those who came from countries that were classed as "unsophisticated " were often labelled as "Primitive".

Primitivism is a response or opinion on how technology has effected civilization, whether it has effected mankind for better or worse. A debate of how our lives can be kept basic and to what extent?

3. Discuss how contemporary Primitivism might manifest itself.

Contempoary Primitivism doesnt have a particular style, each artwork has its own unique appeal and escapes the boundaries of what is known as contemporary art. Primitivist works are a much less refined form of art, leaving behind the complications of westernised technique and simplifying the form of a subject using geometrical shapes such as triangles to create details of both facial and the human body appearances . In a sense, Primitivism draws inspiration from new primative sources (eg. glorification to nature and native people), a new way of looking at the world. Many people saw this new type of art as a reaction against impressionism (typical westernised art technique and form).

4. Find an example of a work at the NGA that you think might be primitivist and discuss what makes it so.

Henri MATISSE L'Enlevement d'Europe
[The abduction of Europa]
[Rape of Europa]

This work by Henri MATISSE displays prime examples of formal Primitivist art characteristics.
A nude sexually accessable women in an vunerable exotic position. Her physical appearance flattened, abstract and somewhat distorted. The application of medium is rough and has no specific technique (that I as a viewer can relate to) displaying art in its simplised form.

NPG / NAA

National Portrait Gallery - ACT Canberra



Slim Dusty (1993)
by John Elliot

From an optimistic farm boy to Australia's voice in Country music, Slim Dusty's lyrics are Australia's history in song. It was very rare Slim Dusty was seen not wearing his iconically Australian Akubra hat, giving him his sense of individuality and personal identity.

For those who aren't aware of who Slim Dusty was, I think this portrait could have clearly depicted he was a musician of country genre if shot in an outback / country setting with his acoustic guitar. Although, studio shoots are a more formal approach, the acoustic guitar would still have been a must in displaying what Slim Dusty was all about.




Steve Waugh (2001)
by Russell SHAKESPEARE

Captaining Australia's Test Cricket team from 1999 - 2004, Steve Waugh was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, received the order of Australia in 2003 and awarded Australian of the Year in 2004 for service to cricket as a leading player and his help in charities and communities overseas.

Steve Waugh is a prime example of a true Australian representative who proudly wore his baggy green hat bearing the Australian Coat of Arms.




National Archives of Australia - Parkes ACT Canberra

Christmas at Bondi 1959

To me this photograph represents a very important aspect of Australian culture. 

Having grown up celebrating Christmas down the coast, spending the day on the beach, meeting with other families doing the same, kids from different families mixing and learning from each other while parents socialise and relax, I feel an in depth connection with this image. I think Australia's beaches are one of the most appreciated landscape's in the world and is big part of Australian culture & summer time activities.

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge 1946

Being one of Canberra's oldest iconic features the Canberra Avenue Bridge is a major part of Canberra's history. First constructed in 1928 the bridge was demolished and replaced with a more modern structure.

AWM Assignment

At the Australian War Memorial I found quite a few significant examples of technological advances relating to both fashion and photography that I believe have continued to help better our lives today.


Left - This soldier wears the Australian designed tunic of WW1 but this one was British made.

Right - The uniform and equipment of a pre-WW1 Militia soldier.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uniforms/australian-19.htm


Firstly advances in clothing and materials have made life a lot easier and also much more comfortable. In earlier times uniform materials were generally heavy and were wool or cotton based. These uniforms offered very little breathing capabilities and therefore make for a very uncomfortable outfit; another major draw back with older style clothing is it was not always designed for flexibility or really even comfort. In a lot of cases it was form over function. Camouflage was not very effective because it mainly consisted of a single block colour, usually being khaki. Waterproofing was non existent, resulting in uniforms wearing quicker due to dampness and were quite heavy on the body. In our days a lot of high tech materials are used in everyday clothing. These materials mainly consist of blends using nylon, cotton and polyester. These sorts of materials offer easier ventilation of body heat, are light weight, waterproof and with modern technology are longer lasting. Some modern materials allow for absorption when perspiring. Camouflage is now specially designed using many earth tones and different shapes, making it harder to define a soldier from the foliage. Also storage and practicality in today’s uniforms make for easier usage and comfort.

Secondly advances in Photographic equipment, the introduction of digital photography and the continuing progression of computer technology have seen today’s generation almost completely disregard film as a medium. Some of the worlds most memorable images have been and still are captured on film, but digital makes it more accessible to the average person.


WWI - Australian troops in the Turkish Lone Pine trenches
http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/index/ww1.asp

North Africa, 6 January 1941: Australian troops advance into Bardia.
http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww2.asp

Oldschool Technology
-black and white
-photographers weren’t able to get in amongst action
-film at risk of damage
-elements make film emulsion deteriorate
-limited to certain amount of photographs per roll


thetension.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html

thetension.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html

www.talkingproud.us/International022705.html

Modern Technology
-colour (can be turned into black & white)
-action can be captured due to photographer having access to get in amongst the action
-better lenses
-faster shutter speeds & apertures
-memory cards are able to store thousands of photos
- faster continuous shooting
- better detail

The major benefits of these technological advantages can be seen in some of the images that have been captured in both the recent Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Using digital photography in such a typically hot climate you eliminate the need to worry about keeping film cool. The amount of images a single memory card can hold is hundreds or even thousands more then a roll of film, but at a fraction of the cost. Digital photography allows a photographer to work a lot faster, enabling them to capture many more images in one go then anyone could have ever imagined back in world war 1 for example images that in the past may have been missed by the slightest of seconds can now be much more easily captured and distributed at the click of a button instead of waiting to find the nearest post box or courier.

NGA Assignment

Andy Warhol

Electric Chair - 1967

I was drawn to this artwork because of the use of dramatic colour and its relationship with the subject. The screen printing technique that has been used gives the artwork an eerie feel. Along with the use of deep red and yellow it is almost as if this is an image a spirit has produced to show their place of execution, a ghost like vision, if you wish. It left me thinking about what a person being executed last sees as their last flashes of life meet their eyes. Do these sorts of colours and tones appear?