From this Saturday, a drive/train/flight to Ballarat will double as an adventure to abandoned Japanese theme parks, Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, and an Arnold Classic-esque comp.
A star-studded lineup of local and international photographers is set to take over the regional centre for a host of captivating exhibitions, all in the name of the 7th Ballarat International Foto Biennale. The main program is to be showcased at Art Gallery of Ballarat, The Mining Exchange, the Minerva Room, The Ballarat Observatory, Post Office Gallery and the Town Hall. Plus there’ll be a host of participatory events, including workshops, talks, portfolio reviews, education programs and outdoor happenings, along with a Fringe Program staged at 70+ cafes, galleries and wine bars across the city.
Iconoclastic American lensman David LaChapelle is the headliner of this year’s event, with an exhibition of 60 unique, hyper-realistic works, captured across the past three decades. ‘David LaChapelle is one of the rare photographers able to transcend the barriers between fine art and commercial photography, often with a profound social message,’ said the event’s Artistic Director Fiona Sweet. ‘When I realised he had never exhibited in Australia I knew that LaChapelle would be incredibly significant for the Biennale, and for Australia, and I am thrilled he agreed to exhibit with us as an Australian first!’
We’ll also definitely be stopping by the ‘ TELL’ exhibition, which shines a spotlight on contemporary Indigenous artists and their photographic practices, and no doubt taking a few we-were-here snaps at ‘SELF/SELFIE’, an exploration of the 21st century phenomenon/obsession.
Ballarat International Photo Biennale
August 19th to September 17th
Various venues across Ballarat, Victoria
