Now in its 11th year, the Summer Salon is the Centre for Contemporary Photography's annual showcase of current photographic practice - featuring all types of analogue and digital photography as well as mixed media works all inspired by photographic culture and processes. Prizes in eight categories (totalling over $3700) will be announced at the opening of the exhibition on the evening of 6 February when John Swainston, Managing Director of Maxwell Optical Industries (distributors for Nikon throughout Australia) will personally present Nikon's 'Excellence in Photomedia' Prize.
Featuring up to 200 artists, the Summer Salon is one of the largest open-entry photomedia exhibitions in Australia. The white walls of the gallery burst into colour during this event offering audiences the chance to view an outstanding, diverse range of contemporary photographic works.
As Felicity Allen of the Herald Sun reported in 2001, the Summer Salon "celebrates the abundance of talent emerging from darkrooms around Australia". In the eclectic mix of styles that emerge there is something for everyone - from the classical to the truly bizarre. Last year's winning entries included a filing cabinet featuring digital images of assorted contents, a video installation that reworked old super8 film stock and a triptych of haunting atypical images of the Australian bush. The affordable prices also make this a rare opportunity for budding collectors.
"The Summer Salon has been inspiring audiences for over a decade now" said Tessa Dwyer, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Photography. "Every year it manages to increase in scale and to generate huge enthusiasm from a truly broad cross-section of artists and audiences. The atmosphere on opening night is festive and electric with the summer heat just adding to the momentum."
The 2003 Nikon Summer Salon is supported by leaders in the photographic industry including Nikon, Kodak, Polaroid, Aussie Commercial Video, Ilford, Lab X, Bond Colour and CPL. It runs from 7 February to 1 March in CCP's two main gallery spaces and entry is free.
The distinguished judging panel comprises Max Delany (Director, Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces),
Sue Ford (Artist) and Carolyn Lewens (Artist & Lecturer, Photography Studies College).
Dave Smith,
KatePhoebe
SarahBelinda (detail) (2001)
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