Country Arts SA recognises that we are living and creating on First Nations Lands and we are committed to working together to honour their living cultures.
TIME and PLACE
A New Photography Exhibition at Signal Point Gallery: June 1 – July 21
The eternal connection to country of three generations of Ngarrindjeri women, as seen through the eyes of Adelaide-based photographer and award-winning film director Christopher Houghton of POP Pictures, is the subject of Time and Place – a powerful exhibition of large format black & white photographs now showing at Goolwa’s Signal Point Gallery – and running until July 21.
Creating a positive message that celebrates the rich symbology of Hindmarsh Island (Kumarangk) within Ngarrindjeri culture, Time and Place comprises three portraits and a series of evocative landscape photographs taken on Ngarrindjeri lands across South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Several of the works reflect elements of the creation story and a 3 metre long photograph of Kumarangk forms the centrepiece to the exhibition.
With its underlying message of respect for the story and tradition in Ngarrindjeri culture, the seed for Time and Place was sown in 2011 when Christopher first met the women in his three portraits – Rita Lindsay Snr, her daughter Audrey and grand-daughter Rita Jnr.
“I happened to be working in Goolwa about ten years after the Hindmarsh Island bridge had been built, when I witnessed a reconciliation ceremony initiated by the Ngarrindjeri,” says Christopher. “It was the first time I’d been personally exposed to the Hindmarsh Bridge affair and after being introduced to the Lindsay’s I was incredibly moved by the stories they shared with me. Over time, they became interested in being involved in a project which transcends the politics around this tragedy and instead pays homage to, and celebrates their intensely personal connection to country.”
To honour the historic traditions of the landscape and the Lindsay women, Christopher dusted off his wooden 5×4 field camera to capture the photographs.
“Using a traditional approach slows the whole process down. It requires you to commit completely to each photograph,” says Christopher. “Compared with digital photography it takes significantly more time to set up and capture a photograph. It’s a tempered and organic process and after a while that practice becomes meditative – you have to become immersed in the landscape and be truly present in the moment, which is when the best ‘art’ tends to happen.”
Presented by Country Arts SA and the Alexandrina Council as part of Just Add Water, Christopher has found the project rewarding on many levels.
“Spending time with the Lindsay’s, hearing their stories and deepening my understanding of the land has really enlightened me. I now have a much richer perspective of my surroundings,” says Christopher. “I feel extremely privileged to have been given the permission to create this exhibition and along with celebrating Ngarrindjeri culture and the inherent beauty of the Australian landscape, hopefully it goes some way towards further healing the pain still experienced by many.”
TIME and PLACE EXHIBITION DETAILS (FREE ENTRY)
WHEN: Saturday June 1 – Sunday July 21, 2013
WHERE: Signal Point Gallery, The Wharf, Goolwa SA Ph: 08 8555 7289
OPENING HOURS: 11am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
10am – 4pm, Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays
LOOK OUT ALSO FOR THE SPONGE: KIDS ARTS HUB AT SIGNAL POINT. SOAKING UP THE TIME AND PLACE EXHIBITION THROUGH KIDS ACTIVITIES FOCUSSING ON FAMILIES. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: JULY 10-12. 10:30am-12pm & 1pm – 2:30pm
Country Arts SA recognises that we are living and creating on First Nations Lands and we are committed to working together to honour their living cultures.