A MAJOR project by Melbourne-based photographer Rohan Hutchinson, Polar Convergence, will be a feature of the Gippsland Art Gallery’s winter program, launching tonight (Friday, June 2).
Hutchinson’s work is based around a series of largescale photographs that he took during an expedition to the Arctic in 2017. The focus of the expedition was to document the beauty and diversity of the Arctic landscape in this moment.
Upon returning to Australia, Hutchinson set about reinterpreting the scope of the resulting photographs, to respond to the impact of climate change on the Arctic region and address our responsibilities as global citizens.
Each of the final works comprise of two components. The first is a largescale photograph that captures the beauty, enormity, tonality and specificity of the winter landscape. Each of these images are bathed in stunning and dramatic colours and textures.
The second part of each work is a physical and chemical reworking of the original photographic print. Created in Australia, this series saw Hutchinson re-sensitise the original C-type photographs with photographic emulsion liquid and expose them to the harsh Australian sun. Pared with their originals, the works reveal a ravaged, blackened Arctic landscape, and act as a poignant allegory for the fragility of our arctic environments.
As part of the exhibition, the Gallery will host an artist talk by Rohan Hutchinson tomorrow, June 3 at 10.30am. This is a unique opportunity to hear from a contemporary artist who has exhibited around Australia.
Entry to the exhibition and talk are free, but bookings are essential for the artist talk, which can be made through the Gallery’s website: gippslandartgallery.com/events
