The second Loud and Luminous symposium, which celebrates equality in the photo industry, brought a sold-out crowd to the ANU School of Art and Design in Canberra on International Women’s Day, Friday, March 15.
Loud and Luminous organiser, Mel Anderson told Inside Imaging she and co-organiser Hilary Wardhaugh were were thrilled with the event.
They were up early to record an ABC radio interview at 4:30am, their third radio segment for the week, and kept things going late into the night.
‘We were really happy with attendance numbers, and selling out prior to the event,’ Mel said. ‘Our generous speakers were incredible, and we are so appreciative of their passion and energy. Our wonderful sponsors drove in to support us with trade displays. We had photographers fly in from all around Australia, drive for 12 hours, bring family, friends, and loved ones, and make a weekend of the event.’
Wardhaugh. Photo: John Swainston.
Ticket sales from the event raised $400 each for five selected female photographers, who will create new work to show in an exhibition next year at Photoaccess gallery in Griffith.
Winners are Northern Territory photographer, Tamara Whyte; Queensland documentary photographer, Tricia King; NSW photojournalist, Elise Searson; Victorian documentary photographer, Helga Leunig; and Tasmanian illustrative photographer, Suellen Cook.
‘Thank you Loud and Luminous for putting together the event and giving the five of us this opportunity, and I love it more so that the bursary came from ticket sales,’ Tamara said. ‘Using our collective strength to move forward!’
The event started with a powerful Welcome to Country ceremony which included traditional dances from the Wiradjuri Echoes indigenous dance group.
A panel discussion and speaker schedule followed, featuring SMH photo editor Mags King; NGA curator Anne O’Heir; gallery owner Michael Reid; ANU photography lecturer professor Denise Ferris; Guardian picture editor Carly Earl; Getty Asia Pacific editorial director Cassie Trotter; Head On Photo Festival director Moshe Rosenzveig; photographic artist Dr Judith Crispin; contemporary photographer Juno Gemes; fine art photographer and BIFB founder Jeff Moorfoot; and curator and photographer Sandy Edwards.
The 2018 Loud and Luminous Book, featuring the work from last year’s exhibition contributors, was also presented to the National Library of Australia (NLA).
Mel said the event provides a platform to celebrate womens’ contributions to the photographic arts, by starting important conversations about equality, sharing stories, and highlighting work by female photographers.
Attendance was primarily by established and emerging photographers, but academics, politicians, students, artists of other disciplines, journalists, and social justice advocates were also in the crowd.
Loud and Luminous 2019 doesn’t end there.
The upcoming 2019 Loud and Luminous exhibition, featuring work by 100 female photographers, will open at Contact Sheet Gallery in Sydney, on April 11 until May 5.
This exhibition will also feature as a multimedia slideshow at the 2019 Head On Photo Festival Hub.
‘Part of the Loud and Luminous objective is to ensure the project is diverse and inclusive, and that is reflected in the wonderful network that comes together to celebrate,’ Mel said. ‘In that crowd we see the best photographers of our time, and the future movers and shakers. It’s a wonderful place to be, and we are honoured to be a part of it.’
Mel added that in the future they’d like to see more men at the event, as it’s important all genders come together to shape the future.
Check out this snippet video of the upcoming exhibition.
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