A photographic exhibition of locals & landscape by MURRAY VAN DER VEER
In this stunning new exhibition at The Picture House Gallery, professional photographer Murray Van der Veer explores the landscape and hero’s of the Southern Tablelands town of Gunning, NSW.
Murray van der Veer has been at the forefront of photography and digital post-production for over a decade, his work has been hung in the Citibank Portrait Prize 2005, 2006 and The National Portrait Prize 2007. The landscape itself is the subject of many of Murray’s images, the ruggedly beautiful terrain of Gunning and the people who nurture it, is the source of inspiration for his current exhibition.
“The people of Gunning are more than just survivors of dryer times. With my photographs for this exhibition, I wanted to celebrate the ingenuity of this creative community, its natural environment, and some of the characters that have successfully contributed to the rejuvenation of their local landscape”. says Van der Veer.
Some of the Gunning heroes captured by Van der Veer’s camera include; inspired shopkeepers Melinda and Scott Medway, who have shifted the focus of their rural working lives to establishing several small businesses in the township, recreating themselves and rejuvenating the town by providing employment to twenty locals. (below, Melinda Medway in The Old Hume Cafe).
There’s the energetic female farmer Kelly Dowling, who is working with the Minister’s Advisory to shift the focus of the wool growing community nationally, harnessing the energy and vision of the younger generation. Kelly’s one of twelve people sitting on the Minister’s Advisory for the Ministry of Agriculture, she’s also a part of the Next Generation Woolgrower’s Group. In Murray’s photograph, Kelly’s son Ned, like his notorious namesake, couldn’t resist stealing a quick swim while his photograph was taken.
(above: Kelly & Ned Dowling)
We see retired national champion shooters Ken and Les Luck, who still have an incredible talent with a shot gun, turning a clay pigeon to dust with both shots every throw.
Also featured is Craig Southwell (below), a lively local mechanic who does more than just tune cars. Craig also shares a positive vision of a prosperous community, and like many others sees Gunning as a model for other small towns.
Another hero captured is artist Glen Thearle (below), who finds gnarly old barbed fencing wire, a waste product usually sent to the scrap yard to be recycled and magically turns it into gentle and ethereal creatures.
“Glens inspired work is a metaphor for the ingenuity and transformation of this community”. says Van der Veer.
Selected works from this exhibition may also be viewed at The Old Hume Cafe, 78 Yass Street, Gunning. (next door to The Picture House Gallery).
