By Mara Pattison-Sowden
MENZIES Creek photographer Susan Gordon-Brown decided to head straight through the fields when it came to documenting Australia’s worst drought.
In a project put together with the Many Australian Photographers group, Ms Gordon-Brown captured images in rural communities to show the physical and emotional impact of the drought.
“It was a great excuse to get out of my comfort zone and shoot something different in a new environment,” she said.
“Typically, when we went out to chase the drought we were being chased by rain.”
Ms Gordon-Brown said she was surprised by how welcoming people were, inviting her into their homes and making new friends in the process.
Photography is all about networking, Ms Gordon-Brown said, which is how she was able to photograph many famous faces during 10 years living in London. Her subjects have included Stephen King, comedian Bill Cosby and blues legend BB King.
“The opportunities for photography were much bigger in London, and people take more risks to give an unknown photographer the chance,” she said.
Her recent portrait exhibition 40 Days, which is on at the Wheelers Hill Monash Gallery of Art until 23 May, is an exploration of cultural and religious practices of foreign-born Australians.
Ms Gordon-Brown will speak about her portrait exhibitions and the MAP compilation Beyond Reasonable Drought at Belgrave Library’s Literary Lunch on Thursday 27 May.
Beyond Reasonable Drought is still available at book stores, with half the royalties going towards Australian Women in Agriculture in recognition of the support they provide to rural communities.
The lunch costs $10 and must be booked on 9754 7266.
Latest
To great heights: CFA train at Skyhigh
Recently, Kalorama-Mt Dandenong CFA invited their neighbouring brigades of Sassafras-Ferny Creek, Olinda and Montrose to join them on a combined training session at Skyhigh,...
