Arna and Vanessa Rogers (detail) photograph by Jacklyn Wagner. Heart & Soul: Photographs by Jacklyn Wagner and Peter Derrrett, Lismore Regional Gallery.
In 2002, photojournalist Jacklyn Wagner mounted a solo exhibition – now part of the Lismore Regional Gallery’s permanent collection – titled A Walk on the Wildside, where Wagner documented the inhabitants of South Lismore. She continues her investigation in this current exhibition, but this time joined by fellow Lismore photographer Peter Derrett. Heart & Soul: A celebration of individuals in the Lismore community represents their two year collaboration.
Jointly curated by Fiona Fraser with the photographers, the 83 prints – ranging in size from A4 to a little larger than A3, but uniformly framed in dark timber and with generous mounts – are displayed in clusters of four over two spacious rooms. There is no apparent narrative logic in the journey through the exhibition, no dates are given, rather the choices pair landscape and portrait configurations; black and white against colour images; and, close up facial landscapes are contrasted with individuals in domestic environments.
The project brief was for each photographer to capture ‘interesting’ local people. Gallery Director Brett Adlington, in his introduction to the nifty pocketbook catalogue (designed by Soren Hjorth), suggests that the selection represents a ‘definitive portrait of Lismore.’ I’m not so sure. Rather, these are tantalisingly unique personalities.
To local viewers these faces would be familiar: neighbours or fellow shoppers on Woodlark Street. But to the outside observer this collection represents an extraordinary snapshot of difference that both reinforces and contradicts the mythology of the region as a nirvana for the artistic and alternative lifestyle. Many of the personal stories that accompany the photographs confirm an irresistible migration to, or return to, the sanctuary of the Northern Rivers.
Tarnveer Singh photograph by Jacklyn Wagner. Heart & Soul: Photographs by Jacklyn Wagner and Peter Derrrett, Lismore Regional Gallery.
Adlington also references the great German documentary photographer August Sander (1876-1964). The stylistic connection is more obviously made to Peter Derrett.
It’s clear that Derrett is in control of his sitter. Not unexpected as he’s been a drama teacher and founded the regional company in Lismore, Theatre North. He directs his ‘actors’, they’re often costumed and they hold props. The images are static, advertisements for their obsessions (printmaker, muralist and embroiderer), or posed, as if for a commercial poster or magazine spread, against neutral or decorative backdrops. The communication is straightforward but redolent; he concocts the meaning in a gesture to his sitter’s personality.
Derrett shoots at eye-level and his subjects gaze directly into the lens. The most arresting work is amongst his most typical. Portfolio studies (like tailor Keith Fletcher, and also his portrait of Jacklyn Wagner) and the cheekily cropped body shots like collector David Yarnall – in scarlet military uniform – whimsically peering around the mount as if stepping from behind the proscenium curtain in the theatre to take a bow.
Jacklyn Wagner, now freelance, has enjoyed a long career as a photojournalist working for local newspapers. Self-taught, she has a meticulous and discerning aesthetic. All her photographs are landscape format, her vision deliberately wide to embrace the mundane but fantastic private worlds of her sitters.
Wagner is audacious in her architectural composition – allusions to paintings by Vermeer, Caravaggio, and others, are obvious. She provides a deep and strong perspective, accentuating rhythm and giving clear emphasis. Her preference for the texture of brilliant clutter never overpowers.
She also tends to place the camera above or below the sitter, inviting us into these occupied rooms to investigate the density. Her style is typified by the beautifully evocative photograph of one-time social editor Rosemary Bashford. A deservedly much reproduced image. The viewer is languidly lead across and around a landscape of contradictions: the eclectic collection of art and furniture; the dwarfing vase of magnificent roses; good taste and kitsch, it’s all there to savour before we sweep in to settle on the comfortably elegant sitter – we get why she was so admired by Norman Lindsay. She is intrinsic to this luminously lit habitat. Wagner captures complex worlds and you get the feeling that she revels in that.
Adam Cafarella photograph by Peter Derrett. Heart & Soul: Photographs by Jacklyn Wagner and Peter Derrrett, Lismore Regional Gallery.
While this cohort of sitters are clearly captured with love, empathy and integrity, in the wider perspective, this joint collection belongs to a long established tradition. Content is primary, and there is no pushing of boundaries in form nor technique as evidenced in recent work by Bill Henson or Charles J Page, or award-winning photographers like Lisa Saad and Steve Wise.
The collection also relies heavily on text: life history and commentary – a poignant exchange between photographer and subject – in prose. Notwithstanding the large print loose photocopies available, the wall notes overwhelmed the gallery viewing experience. A more leisurely read of the illustrated catalogue following gave me a satisfying, but very different appreciation of the pictures. I wondered if the entire exhibition might have been better conceived as a more dynamic multi-platform audio visual event.
Traditionally, documentary photography gave us access to places that would have been unknown, secluded or inaccessible. The photographers have donated the exhibition to the Gallery’s permanent collection. Hopefully they’ll be digitalised for wider online access.
3 stars ★★★
Heart & Soul: Photographs by Jacklyn Wagner and Peter Derrrett
Curator
Fiona Fraser with Jacklyn Wagner and Peter Derrett
EXHIBITION DATES: 29 September – 25 November, 2018
Lismore Regional Gallery
