The exhibitions at the Arles photography festival this year are regrouped under the title “Disobedient Images”. They offer a subversive vision of subjects from families to feminism, minorities to mainstream. Here are some of the highlights of the exhibitions depicting subjects from the English-speaking world. Caroline Monnet Echoes from a Near Future Canadian photographer and … Continue reading “Disobedient Images: Arles 2025”
Two of the exhibitions at the Arles festival 2025 look back at four photographers capturing American life and landscapes over the past century. The World of Louis Stettner (1922–2016) Louis Stettner was a skilled practitioner of street photography with a political bent, often photographing protests, workers and countercultural movements like the Beat Generation. He said … Continue reading “On the Street, On the Road”
When Aboriginal Australians say they are, or are going, “on country”, they don’t just mean they are physically on the lands their ancestors have inhabited for 60,000 years. It also implies that they are shaped by the place, connected to it, and recognize a responsibility to care for it. It is this meaningful phrase that … Continue reading “On Country”
Dennis Morris arrived in London from Jamaica as a child, part of the Windrush generation. He fell in love with photography at age eight and became famous for his photos of Bob Marley and other reggae bands, as well as early punk such as the Sex Pistols. A retrospective exhibition in Paris features his music … Continue reading “Dennis Morris: Music and Life”
Ernest Cole spent the early part of his life photographing his life in South Africa as a black man under apartheid in the 1950s and 60s. He was able to publish some at the time but many waited until he felt forced into exile in the U.S.A. His book of his photos House of Bondage … Continue reading “Ernest Cole Photographing Apartheid”
On 14 October, Australians voted 60-40% against a referendum proposal on a change to the Constitution that would have given Indigenous Australians a greater voice in the legislature. If approved, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice would have been a consultative body to advise lawmakers on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. Labor Prime Minister Anthony … Continue reading “Australia Says No in Indigenous Representation Referendum “
Australia will hold a referendum later this year on a change to the Constitution that would give Indigenous Australians a greater voice in the legislature. If approved, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice would be a consultative body which would advise lawmakers on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who … Continue reading “Australia to Hold Referendum on Indigenous Representation”
South African photographer Zanele Muholi describes themself as a visual activist. For the last 20 years, Muholi has explored the depiction of black women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Muholi’s photos are included in several modern art collections around the world and the major exhibition of their work at Tate Modern in London from 2021 has … Continue reading “Zanele Muholi: Visual Activism”
Australia started the new year with a change in its national anthem designed to be more inclusive of all Australians. On 31 December, Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the change of a single word that is heavy with significance. The words of “Advance Australia Fair” included the line “For we are young and free”. … Continue reading “Change in Australia’s National Anthem to Reflect Indigenous Heritage”
On 26 January every year, ceremonies are held all over Australia to welcome new citizens as part of Australia Day celebrations. But the 2018 national day was overshadowed by debates about citizenship, and about finding a date for Australia Day that is less offensive to Aboriginal people. Citizenship was a major issue in the Australian … Continue reading “Australian Identity Crisis”
