Exhibition: Australians in PNG

12 August – 8 October 2017

Monash Gallery of Art presents Australians in PNG, an exhibition highlighting the ongoing importance of Papua New Guinea as a subject in the history of Australian photography. Featuring major new bodies of work by Eric Bridgeman, Stephen Dupont and Sonia Payes, this suite of exhibitions acknowledges the complexity and significance of Australia’s involvement with its closest neighbour.

Eric Bridgeman, Stephen Dupont and Sonia Payes each engage with the landscape and customs of PNG from radically different perspectives. Bridgeman has both European and Melanesian heritage, and regularly travels to the Highlands of PNG to live with his extended family and make new work. Stephen Dupont is a celebrated international photojournalist who has spent intense periods of time documenting social life across PNG. Sonia Payes is a contemporary artist whose scuba diving expeditions in the region led her to explore PNG’s sublime volcanic landscape.

”These three exhibitions not only testify to the unique and vibrant land of PNG, but they acknowledge the complexity and significance of Australia’s ongoing involvement with its closest neighbour”, says Senior Curator Stephen Zagala.

The significance of Australia’s relationship with PNG is reflected within the history of Australian photography. With major figures such as John William Lindt, Frank Hurley, Max Dupain and John Gollings all having worked in the region, the canon of Australian photography is punctuated with images of PNG.

Main photograph: Sing Sing Performer by Stephen Dupont

MONASH GALLERY OF ART 860 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill VIC 3150

www.mga.org.au
Gallery hours: Tues-Fri 10am-5pm | Sat & Sun 12-5pm