Customs House, Sydney
If you need proof of the power of photography visit Andrew Goldie’s exhibition of stunning lightboxes Transformation on the first floor at Customs House (5 February to 31 March, 2013). If we distill the essential ingredient within photography, it is light. The photographic image is created when light is recorded, whether analogue or digital methods are employed. Photography lends itself to almost any subject matter and approach and is embraced by practitioners with a huge variety of approaches.
Possibly one of the most unusual approaches is Andrew Goldie’s meditation on natural and beyond natural worlds in Transformation. The images are proof that words are meaningless in the presence of a powerful image. Therefore it is hard to talk about them. However I will make an effort as it is important to convey meaning to those who have not seen the exhibition as well as those who have.
All the images appear to be taken at night in isolated rocky outcrops on the edge of the ocean. Water is often present. Some are in bush sites with foliage and trees. Present in every image is a highlighted central object or area that is in fact the subject of the photograph. It is often a pure white glowing sheet taking on a spirit of life. Sometimes it is a pool of water, the crest of white foam on a splashing wave or the presence of a puff of white smoke hovering.
This may sound inscrutable sight unseen however the images persuade by their sheer presence. They assure us there are connections between the tangible and intangible words we inhabit.
Evident in the images is the hand of an assured and experienced photographer who knows how to light in situations that present major challenges. Taking sophisticated lighting into a landscape that involves climbing over rocky formations at night is not an easy matter. Although these works bring to mind the beautiful hand painted bush and seascapes of Peter Solness they stem from a different method and intention. Solness is celebrating the pure beauty of the way things are and reminding us to appreciate that whereas these images clearly link the landscape to the spirit.
Goldie has said “What I have learnt from science and the growing comprehension of the workings of the universe has inspired this work and all my work in general”. Curator Arthur Chan has said “This exhibition interprets the ebb and flow of life and energy in the universe”. Goldie says the work was inspired by fatherhood and the profound experience of witnessing the birth of his son that raised his “wonderment about where do we come from and where does the human spirit go when it leaves this place”.
As a viewer who came away profoundly moved I can vouch that these exquisite moments created from the photographer’s subconscious with the help of a team of committed helpers convince through their technical achievement and their intense and surreal power as images. Highly recommended.
Sandy Edwards February 2013
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| Ms Sandy Edwards, Creative Producer, Arthere |
Sandy Edwards
As Creative Producer of Arthere, she has 20 years experience as a curator and photographer.
She has a long and ongoing association with Stills Gallery and has contributed widely to the world of photography in Sydney. She is also well known as an exhibiting and published photographer
She has a long and ongoing association with Stills Gallery and has contributed widely to the world of photography in Sydney. She is also well known as an exhibiting and published photographer
桑迪·愛德華茲
擁有20年策展和攝影師經驗的桑迪·愛德華茲,是Arthere的創意監製
她經常與Still畫廊合作,廣泛在悉尼的攝影世界作出了貢獻。她也是知名的攝影師
她經常與Still畫廊合作,廣泛在悉尼的攝影世界作出了貢獻。她也是知名的攝影師
