BE’s Transpositions photographic exhibition in the Bent Street Lobby of Chifley Tower in the heart of Sydney’s CBD was opened on Tuesday, 9 March, 2010. The show ran until March 27 and was curated by Wendy Kimpton and Soraya Touma.
Transpositions looks at the creative transformation of three photographers as they interchange their ideas and experiences within the context of BE projects. Renowned Australian photographer Greg Weight, emerging photographic artist Raphaela Rosella, and mid-career photographer Wendy Kimpton approach the project from three different ‘places’ in their careers, yet through the act of guiding each other, shift the way they see the world and their own work. The artists learn from the unique experiences of each other, hence they ‘change places’ throughout the process - each artist leading and following.
In photographic terms, transposition is the process of reversing the tonality of an image, (i.e. from negative to positive). Transpositions aimed to highlight the beauty and truth of rural Australia and in doing so reverse the viewer’s perception from negative to positive. All the images featured individuals and families involved in BE’s art-based programs in disadvantaged communities around Australia.
Photographer: Greg Weight
“Whenever I work with Aboriginal communities as a photographer, I leave with much more than the photographs I take. I leave with heartache and respect for a nation of people who have been subjected to unimaginable horrors and cultural denial and still have in their hearts the capacity to engage in dance, music, stories and art,” said Greg Weight, reflecting on his experience working with Beyond Empathy in the community of Moree.
Photographer: Raphaela Rosella
The exhibition also celebrates the creative development of emerging artist Raphaela Rosella. During her long-term involvement with Beyond Empathy programs, she has attended Beyond Empathy Leadership Camps, completed a 6 month Traineeship, gained practical experience photographing many Beyond Empathy projects and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Photography degree at Griffith University. Raphaela has worked alongside Greg Weight and Wendy Kimpton on several projects and a strong creative bond has developed between them all.
