Portrait photography offers look into inner sanctums of Tasmanians

Image: City of Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson and artist Lisa Garland standing within the exhibition Inner Sanctums. 

Artist Lisa Garland is well known for her photography practice, sharing the honest and intimate worlds of unique and eccentric community members.

Largely specialising in large format black and white photography, Garland’s work transports viewers into the lives and spaces of her subjects while showcasing the varied collections of material artefacts that define their existence and concept of home.

Inner Sanctums marks the first survey of Garland's work at QVMAG and will display works from the past twenty years of her rich portraiture practice.

This exhibition invites visitors to spend time with the evocative and powerful character studies of an artist who masterfully captures the beguiling and honest inner sanctums of Tasmanians.

Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson said the exhibition was a rich archive of our community.

"All works on display by Lisa are a powerful insight into the different lives of our community," Mayor Gibson said.

"There's something special about being welcomed into the life of another through photography.

"I encourage everyone to take the time to explore this incredible collection of photography on display."

General Manager Creative Arts and Cultural Services Shane Fitzgerald said the survey of works is focused on sharing the inner worlds of a unique and eccentric community of characters.

"Lisa's work is an outstanding approach to portrait photography," Fitzgerald said.

"To feel as though you're temporarily in the subjects' home, and world, is a powerful message.

“This is the first show for Lisa at QVMAG and we're proud host this survey of work for our audiences across Tasmania.”

Artist Lisa Garland said the works on display highlight the importance of being content, in whatever form that might be.

“The images are not just photographs. These spaces and people are an extension of myself,” Garland said. 

“The work I create must be consumed with a truth or an honesty. It needs to represent a time, a place and be a testament to the people; the authentic self.

“In an era consumed by the ‘selfie’, this is rare and magnificent.”

Inner Sanctums is on display exclusively in Tasmania at QVMAG until 14 May 2023, and is delivered in collaboration with Ten Days on the Island. 

Issued Friday 17 February 2023.