Grand master photographer drops curtain on new exhibition at QVMAG
Image: Greg Leong by Philip Kuruvita
This weekend welcomes the opening of the latest exhibition to open at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park, featuring a new body of work by Tasmania’s only Grand Master of Photography and one of only a few in Australia, Philip Kuruvita.
With a photography career spanning over 30 years, Kuruvita has amassed a strong local and national following in response to his ability to identify the subtle, yet profound, moments that unfold in the everyday lives of Tasmanians.
Kuruvita’s ongoing, evolving body of work entitled Faces of Launceston has grown to a collection of over 700 black and white environmental portraits, focused on celebrating the diversity of our Launceston residents, while recognising the extraordinary within the seemingly ordinary.
The latest body of work in the Faces of Launceston series is set to be unveiled this Saturday at QVMAG, with a focus on profiles within the community who may not have been seeking headlines, but who continue to play a crucial role in shaping the identity of our City.
City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the latest body of work in the Faces of Launceston series is a great representation of some of the people and characters who make our City so great.
“We have so many people within our community who play important roles in supporting the vibrancy, culture and overall liveability of our great City; and the Faces of Launceston series is a brilliant way to celebrate this,” Mayor Garwood said.
“What I love the most about this series is just how personal it is. It really showcases our people in environments they are so deeply passionate about, and I know for me, this body of work certainly fills me with a sense of pride to call Launceston home.
“I encourage everyone to head on down to the Art Gallery at Royal Park and enjoy this new exhibition, celebrating an incredible local photographer - who in turn is celebrating those in our community who are doing incredible things.”
Image: Photographer Philip Kuruvita. Photo: QVMAG
Grandmaster photographer Philip Kuruvita said the Faces of Launceston series captures the raw emotions and uniqueness of personalities across our community.
“Faces have a timeless quality, and with each portrait I have tried to freeze a moment in time, capturing the raw emotions and unique personalities of some of the people that call Launceston home,” Kuruvita said.
“It is my hope that in 100 years' time, people will be able to look at these pictures and get a real idea of who we were, and how we lived our lives — a snapshot of our city's soul at this time in history.
“One of the things I love about this project is the chance it gives us to connect on a deeper level. You can gaze into the eyes of your neighbours, friends, and even strangers without feeling like you're intruding. Stare long and hard at them, at the lines on their face and the sparkle in their eyes, look at their homes and workplaces and see the things that they have chosen to surround themselves with.
“It's having a conversation with someone without saying a word.”
Faces of Launceston is on display at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park (2 Invermay Road, Launceston) with free entry from this weekend until 30 June 2024.