Geelong’s collection of historical Geelong-focused documentary photography is strong, and we have a commitment to photography in our acquisitions policy. Geelong Gallery has routinely incorporated distinct photography exhibitions into its program over the past decades, or included in thematic exhibitions works by artists practicing in various forms of photo media, including moving image. For two decades, the Gallery hosted the biennial international photographic competition VIGEX, accredited by the Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) and the Australian Photographic Society (APS).

Recently we presented major projects by Murray Fredericks, Jo Scicluna, and Gabriella and Silvana Mangano. We have acquired works by and included numerous thematic exhibitions a range of emerging and influential established practitioners including Anne Zahalka, David Rosetzky, Daniel Crooks, Charlie Sofo, Christian Thompson, RONE and Cricket Saleh.

Geelong has a dynamic and thriving arts culture with a number of prominent local contemporary artists including Cricket Saleh working with photography. At Geelong Gallery we consider it vitally important to be ‘in the field’ with artists as their practices evolve, and PHOTO 2020 offers a great opportunity for local artists to engage with the breadth of practices encompassed by this particular festival.

The role of the photographer is to provide the conceptual and aesthetic X factor that powerfully communicates the multiple contexts in which we might see, feel and understand an image beyond the ubiquitous pouting selfie and the banal everyday.

We are very excited to be working with an eminent, critically acclaimed Sydney-based photographer. The artist will present a new series of large-scale colour photographs that combines enduring conceptual practice with autobiographical images and subjects from the artist’s childhood and youth. The exhibition will encourage audiences to explore new narratives and ideas on identity and home truths.

Clustering is the new black and it is enlivening to be part of a vital community of artists and organisations asserting the continuing value and relevance of photo-media practices.