01

Gordon Parkes-The Making of an Argument

 

Gordon Parkes began documenting the gang wars of Harlem in the middle of last century. He was shooting for ‘Life’ Magazine and felt that if he could place a spotlight on these tensions there perhaps some government intervention and policy changes around social programs may follow. He was a photographer with a strong social conscience.

02

Bill Henson  Lux et Nox

 

Bill Henson creates works which often have a dark and ominous quality. At the same time his mastery and understanding of how to use light to great effect is extraordinary. I particularly like his landscapes.

03

Shaun Gladwell-Perpetual 360 degree sessions

 

Shaun Gladwell makes video works which have such poetry about them. The subject matter is usually deceptively grungy such as his man on a skateboard. He elevates it to another level using the device of slow motion. This completely changes the way you experience the subject and their activity. It becomes meditative, focused, quiet and intriguing.

04

Oculi Oculi Collective 

For the last 15 years, the members of the photographic collective Oculi have been making some of the most interesting social documentary work by Australians both here and around the world. Realising that the old models for photographers were becoming obsolete, they decided to represent themselves and forged connections with international photo agencies.

05

Lee Grant Belco Pride

Lee Grant is an intelligent, Australian, woman photographer who portrays her local community with honesty and respect. Her images of people and places are made with heart and integrity. They lack pretention and acknowledge the mundane.

06

Composing Space The Photographs of Helen Binet 

 

I love this book. I love the way Binet sees. She captures the essence of the architect’s intentions beautifully. She uses black and white wonderfully.

She has a great ability with composition. Her observation of quiet fleeting moments and spaces is rare. She sees the way I want to see. She is inspiring.

07

 

Susan Sontag- On Photography

 

When I was studying photography at College I was so pleased to come across this book. Susan Sontag wrote with such sharp intelligence and questioning around the role of the photograph and the photographer. She wrote so well about the morality and political implications of image making.

08

 Trent Parke- the Black Rose

Trent Parke is the only Australian photographer to be invited to join the photo agency Magnum. This book is his most recent publication and is a very moving and beautiful documentation of his life. There is so much sadness, poignancy and pain around the loss of his mother as a young boy. Through the journey of making this book he strives to make sense of his life and to cherish any threads of connection with his mother. He shoots film predominantly making so many beautiful black and white observational images.

09

Peter Korn-Why We make Thingsand Why it Matters

This is a rather wonderful little book which questions why we devote our lives to our chosen work, despite lack of financial rewards. At the heart of it Korn believes we choose to make our creative work because of its transformative capacity. Having spent many years of my life as a furniture maker his story resonated strongly.

 

10

Mid century Modern: Australian Furniture design 

This book accompanied the fabulous exhibition at the NGV in Melbourne last year. It documents a period of particularly rich, bold, adventurous and experimental furniture design in Australian. There are so many great pieces to emerge from this period in the history of local design which show a great awareness of international influences.