Exhibition Review: Photography | Brian Rope
Life in the
Old Dog, Yet | Brian Jones
M16
Artspace Gallery | 18 April 2024
– 12 May 2024
Canberra photographer Brian Jones says he is continually fascinated by the world around him, and that is reflected in his diverse and ever-changing photographic interests. He has a Graduate Diploma in Visual Art (Photography and Media Arts) from ANU School of Art. Previous exhibitions include his 2009 ANU Graduate Exhibition (A glass half full: portraits of an age) and 2012 Bowerbird Central at Hugh Davies Gallery.
Jones has written too often, senior citizens are devalued, dehumanised and seen as merely a burden. This is especially true in the aged care context, as examined by the recent Royal Commission, which emphasised the need for dignity and respect for those in care. It is also true more generally, with seniors often seen as just a demographic, with individuals written off as ‘elderly’ or ‘oxygen thieves’ of little intrinsic worth.
Personally, I am aware that some younger folk might not think much about the seniors in their lives. I’m a senior and not aware of anyone considering me to be a burden. For that, I am most grateful. But I do understand that younger folk with their own full lives might rarely think about contacting or visiting their senior family members. I also agree that some people tend to devalue seniors, perhaps considering them to have passed their usefulness. I once had a most interesting chat with my Vietnamese GP about the “responsibilities” of younger family members to care for their parents and grandparents. It highlighted for me the substantial differences between cultures about such matters.
This exhibition encourages viewers of the work to celebrate the humanity, dignity and value of senior citizens. The quality black and white portraits of a substantial group of women and men in their 70s – one is 82 – reveal people who are very much alive. Their expressions convey something of their enjoyment of life. These are real people, happily posing for the artist, enjoying the experience. The images are fresh. The subjects “look sharp”.
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| Di Cooper, 77, 2023 © Brian Jones |
We also learn that the subjects are all highly active. They still contribute to society and enjoy life, notwithstanding the “ravages of time” revealed in lined faces. Apparently, some have had joint replacements, might be living with cancer, or have slowed down in some respects. But they haven’t stopped living. Their contributions include political and environmental activism, volunteering, grand-parenting and providing other family support.
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| Jill Jones, 74, granny, 2023 © Brian Jones |
As well as the portraits already mentioned, there are equally excellent action shots – images showing these people are very much alive. They bushwalk, run, play croquet and tennis, swim, busk, participate in athletic throwing events and work on body building.
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| Bushwalking mob, Watson’s Crags, 2017 © Brian Jones |
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| Bob Gingold, 72, croquet, 2023 © Brian Jones |
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| Jan Banens, 82, hammer throw, 2024 © Brian Jones |
Jones himself is a subject. There is a self-portrait and an action shot of him throwing a discus. For the latter image he set his camera up on a tripod and activated its burst mode. His wife pushed the shutter release to trigger the camera into capturing many shots, from which he selected the one being shown. Of course, the exhibition also reveals that this senior is actively involved in creating photo artworks.
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| Brian Jones, 75, discus, 2023 © Brian Jones |
Jones says the seniors he has photographed accept being ‘old dogs’ and
showing a bit of wear and tear, but are certainly not ready to shuffle off
quietly into the sunset. He suggests that senior citizens are an
under-explored area in contemporary Art. He hopes this exhibition will inspire
other artists to explore the space and some other old dogs into action.
This review is also available on the author's blog here.
