Australian Life 2021: Meet the photographers - Space

Australian Life is one of the nation’s biggest – and most democratic – photography prizes. For more than 15 years, amateur and professional photographers have presented epic and intimate images of Australia. A panel of professional photographers, artists and curators selects the finalists and the $10,000 grand prize winner. Australian Life is produced by the City of Sydney as part of Art & About Sydney, an ongoing program of temporary art projects in unusual spaces.

From loud bursts of colour to quiet family moments, these 28 images paint a picture of Australia’s unique personality. Youthful innocence, caring communities, sporting prowess, intimacy and reflection – these documented moments represent stories that make up Australian Life.

Join Cherine Fahd in conversation with 3 of 2021’s finalists, Matthew Abbott, James Brickwood and Elise Derwin about how their entries evoke the feelings of space.

Cherine Fahd is an artist and academic working in the field of photography and video performance. She is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at UTS. Cherine’s work focuses on photography as a social practice that builds connections between people. She has exhibited around the world, including at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; the Haifa Museum of Art, Israel; Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece; and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in Japan, among others. Her photographic work is represented in significant public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Victoria, Museum of Photographic Arts San Diego and the Haifa Museum of Art in Israel.

Other events in this series:

• Australian Life: Meet the photographers - Unity, Thursday 16 September, 1-2pm

• Australian Life: Meet the photographers - Devastation, Thursday 30 September, 1-2pm

• Australian Life: Meet the photographers - Cinematic, Thursday 7 October, 1-2pm

This event will be Auslan interpreted.