Photography | Brian Rope
A Feminine
Perspective | Hedda Photography Group – Andrea Bryant, Andrée Lawrey, Brenda
Runnegar, Eva van Gorsel, Helen McFadden, Judy Parker, Julie Garran, Lyndall
Gerlach, Margaret Stapper, Marion Milliken, Pam Rooney, Susan Henderson, Ulli Brunnschweiler.
M16 Artspace | 9 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2022
This is the first exhibition from the Hedda
Photography Group - named for the wonderful photographer Hedda Morrison who
lived the last part of her life (1967-1991) in Canberra. Its convenor started
the Group “because some photography clubs tend to be male oriented.” She feels
that, stereotypically, men are more interested in equipment whilst women are
more interested in what images mean, and how they relate. Most of the
exhibitors know me, as photographer and reviewer. I’d be surprised if they
consider me to be any less interested in the actual images than they are. I
have known some men keenly interested in cameras and lenses, I also know women
who fit that bill.
One of the women exhibitors revealed that the Group’s members had shared a long and vibrant discussion about feminist perspectives and that many different views were expressed. Are photographers’ life experiences the main determinant of their interests? Are they gender related? Do they reflect our cultural backgrounds? Or our economic circumstances or where we have lived?
The exhibition concept was for
participants to express what they wanted, however they wished, with no
constraints as to subject matters or themes. The gallery website says, “as
women they are interested in subjects that may tend to be relegated from
mainstream art practice, perhaps because of their perceived lack of relevance
to the male gaze.”
So, against that background, I went to the exhibition wondering what I might see and how, as a mere male, I would react. I saw portraits (of women and store mannequins), architectural details, abstracts, nature (including details), family history (one even including an image of a man), wonderful contemporary creations, and many beautiful artworks. There are references to crafts that, traditionally, women have been more likely to explore than men. There is some exploration of families, but not specifically of women’s family roles. And haven’t we all seen the increased numbers of men assuming such roles? I saw nothing that exclaimed, to me, “only a woman would have seen or created this.”
However, none of this means I didn’t very much enjoy the show. There are many excellent works on display. So let me now select some for specific mention. Susan Henderson has four delightful works, showing old family photos together with other items of family significance. Each of them works very well. A collage work titled Memories: Cousins Tilly and Sunday, 2022 incorporates scans of brightly coloured vintage Suffolk puffs - from the patchwork and quilting world.
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Susan Henderson - Memories-Cousins Tilly and Sunday, 2022 |
Brenda Runnegar’s three works showing Amber and friends at various locations are intriguing, visual allegories - the hidden meanings of which might have moral significance. Or might not?
 |
Brenda Runnegar - Bush Hut |
Andrea
Bryant’s three portrait images use the word enigma in their titles. Enigma 3,
with its eyes peering through bubble wrap is the most mysterious one.
 |
Andrea Bryant - Enigma 3 |
Judy
Parker’s delicately coloured compilations of dead and decomposing leaves and
other organic material are fine examples of this genre that she does so well.
 |
Judy Parker - Transience |
Julie
Garran is showing a strong sample of her store mannequin and doll images, the
latter incorporating some images of a daughter.
 |
Julie Garran - Portrait 3 |
Marion
Milliken is displaying a fine essay of architectural building pieces.
 |
Marion Milliken - Buildings-An Essay, 2022 |
Lyndall
Gerlach has four exquisite examples of her lilies.
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Lyndall Gerlach Iconographic Lily #8 |
And Ulli
Brunnschweiler’s Groundworks series are wonderful abstracts.
 |
Ulli Brunnschweiler - Groundworks IV |
I could mention every individual exhibitor, but space does not permit. Suffice to say that all of them are showing strong works.
I
encourage you to visit and enjoy each artwork, including six photobooks . Consider
what contemporary photography and photo art is all about, and how both women
and men photographers see their worlds.
This review was first published by The Canberra Times online here and on page 12 of Panorama in the print version of the paper on 24/9/22. It is also available on the author's blog here.