Sudarious by Erika Diettes. Image courtesy of Head On Photo Festival.
Anticipation is building for the 2014 Head On Photo Festival as Australia’s largest annual celebration of the photographic image.
Entering its fifth year, festival director Moshe Rosenzveig said his team had worked hard to present Head On curated exhibitions featuring within an inclusive, accessible program, which includes an exciting blend of fine art, photo journalism, portraits, talks, workshops and social events.
As some of Sydney’s most inspiring art galleries, public spaces and community sites come alive, Rosenzveig said that the Head On Festival program will appeal to people from all levels of photographic experience and interest.
‘It’s really about celebrating photography and highlighting certain images and giving a bit more visibility,’ he said.
‘When you see the program, you’ll realize how extensive it is,’ he said. The forthcoming Head On program spans some 140 exhibitions and showcases some 900 photographers, across 100 venues.
‘It’s a massive amount of people exhibiting and galleries involved, a massive number of visitors, and a large number of works being sold each year, which is a breakthrough in a way.’
‘It wasn’t like this in the past. People found it difficult to sell photography and part of what we do influences sales,’ he said.
An Iraqi Man launches himself from a lamp post on the Al-Shuhaba Bridge into the Tigris river on a hot Baghdad night. Image by Benjamin Lowy courtesy of Head On Photo Festival.
‘We had 600,000 visitors last year seeing the shows in Sydney. It’s a huge number of people, an almost incomprehensible number. But this is the milestone that we are proud of and reflects what we have achieved over the last five years,’ he said.
Against the background of a vibrant and robust festival platform, Rosenzveig is most proud of having ensured the sustained survival of the event.
‘We survived five years and I say that in such a way, because we do not receive any financial support from federal or state government. It’s been extremely tough – we basically deliver a miracle show every year,’ he said.
‘Everything we do is done with the blood, sweat and tears of people are at very modest rates of pay, some who work as volunteers and members of the community who generously provide sponsorship support.’
At the core of Head On is ‘inclusivity’, creating opportunities and promoting the work of photographers at all stages of their careers.
Judging of the Head On Awards is done anonymously ‘so that everyone has an equal chance of getting in,’ said Rosenzveig.
This year sees the Head On Awards expanded to four categories: Portrait, Landscape, Mobile and Multi-media Prizes.
Over 4,000 entries were received across the four categories of the awards.
The Head On Portrait Prize, as the centrepiece festival event, celebrates portraiture by Australian artists and will reflect a diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices.
Judges on the 2014 panel included international photographer Polixeni Papapetrou, Anne-Marie Van de Ven and Fairfax Picture Editor James Cottam.
Winners of all categories will be announced on 16 May at the Festival Launch.
Given the size of the festival, Rosenzveig and the Head On team seek to use the art of photography to raise awareness of important issues of social justice and community.
Hippopotamus by Mary Ellen Mark. Image courtesy of Head On Photo Festival.
The work of Colombian artist Erika Diettes is a tribute to Colombian women forced to witness the torture and murder of loved ones. She will present her exhibition Sudarios at St Canice Church in Kings Cross.
‘It’s a very powerful, beautiful show and a must see,’ said Rosenzveig.
Leading National Geographic photographer Chris Rainier will also facilitate a workshop and presentation with a focus on disappearing cultures around the world.
‘His talk will describe empowering “voiceless people” to use the camera to engage with other communities,’ said Rosenzveig.
Whether a platform for photographers or a voice box for social issues, Head On is always a true celebration of photography.
‘Photography is extremely important on both a personal level, and the collective memory of a community,’ said Rosenzveig.
‘For many people, in Australia at least, photography is very important because it is a recording of the memories of your life. You look at images from the past, and that reminds you of many things.’
Iconic photographer Mary Ellen Mark will feature a selection of images in her first Australian solo show at Head On. These images originally came from the Bicentenary of Australia, which Mark shot for National Geographic in 1988 alongside some of her most recognized works. This exhibition will be held at Stills Gallery in Paddington from 7 May.
Head On reflects the diversity of the medium, with works spanning from the 1850’s to contemporary works experimenting with innovative technology.
In an exciting Head On first, award winning New York City based photographer Benjamin Lowy will present a highly charged workshop to be held over a single 24-hour period beginning on 17 May.
‘It’s literally running around the clock and it’s specifically for people who want to shoot on their mobile phones or cameras,’ said Rosenzveig.
Head On Photo Festival 2014 is presented by Olympus and runs in Sydney from 12 May to 8 June.
For more information including a detailed program of events visit the Head On Photo Festival website.
