The Mississippi Delta Exhibition by Magdalena Solé at The Leica Gallery

This week I visited the Leica Gallery  to see the current exhibition The Mississippi Delta by Magdalena Solé. In the Oskar Barnack Room is: Going to the Dog Show by Lynn Butler These exhibitions are running from January 11th - February 23rd 2013 and are well worth seeing if you're around New York while they are up. Both shows are selling books of the works also if you don't have a chance to make it to the gallery you can check out the books.

The Mississippi Delta by Magdalena Solé at the Leica Gallery in New York

The Mississippi Delta by Magdalena Solé at the Leica Gallery in New York

The Dog Show Exhibition by Lynn Butler, at the Leica Gallery in New York

The Dog Show Exhibition by Lynn Butler, at the Leica Gallery in New York, 3D glasses are used to view the two 3D photographs on the left

Leica Gallery in New York is located at:

670 Broadway / Suite 500 New York, NY 10012 Tel.: +1 (212) 777-3051 Fax: +1 (212) 777-6960 E-Mail: leicaphoto@aol.com

Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday 12.00 pm - 6.00 pm Saturday 12.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Editors' favorite submissions for the National Geographic Photo Contest 2012

When browsing the National Geographic Website today, I noticed that one of my photos (which I had submitted a couple of weeks ago) had been selected as one of the editors' favorite submissions to the National Geographic Photo Contest 2012. The photograph is called 'Abraham' and is part of the Barefoot in Ethiopia exhibition series of work, which was recently exhibited at the Hill Smith Gallery in Australia, where limited edition prints of the work were sold.

The 'Barefoot in Ethiopia' work documents the lifestyle of a village in the Afar region of Ethiopia, where I have spent several months with the Adelaide based NGO, Barefoot Initiative, who have been visiting the community and assisting them for the past 10 years.

'Abraham'

©Anna Fawcus

Leica S Launch Party at MILK penthouse in NYC

Last night was the launch party of the Leica S-System featuring Morgan Miller at the penthouse of Milk Studios. It was a great event, with the opportunity to have a look at the new Leica S system camera, up close. It was fantastic to have a look at the new S system, and see it's awesome capabilities. For more info on the new Leica S:

http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/s_system

For more info on Morgan Miller and his Leica S photography, check out the Leica blog:

http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/morgan-miller-homage-to-the-masters-of-fashion-photography-part-1

For the facebook page and photos of the event:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151057582057735.426063.75684997734&type=3

Opening night of Marilyn Reinvented by Bert Stern at Milk Gallery in NYC

Last night I went to the Milk Gallery opening of Marilyn Reinvented by Bert Stern. The opening night was busy, with hundreds of New Yorkers waiting in a long line to enter the bustling gallery. The collection of classic Marilyn Monroe photographs are beautifully 'reinvented' with some really striking and creative work, featuring glitter, paint and colorful stones. If you are in New York over the coming weeks, it is an exhibition that should not be missed.

Marilyn Reinvented by Bert Stern can be viewed in Milk Gallery starting October 23rd through November 6th.

http://milkmade.com/articles/1650-Marilyn-Reinvented-by-Bert-Stern

Opening of Pete Souza Exhibition at the Leica Gallery in NYC

Last night I went to the opening of a photographic exhibition by Pete Souza, the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Barack Obama and the Director of the White House photography office. The photographs are a vivid and expressive collection of color photographs which depict President Barack Obama in day to day life. If you have a chance to go and see it, it is well worth visiting. This New York exhibition is at the Leica Gallery  on Broadway, from October 5th until November 10th 2012.

If you can't make it to the gallery, the White House's Flikr Photostream is worth a look.

Leica Gallery in New York is located at:

670 Broadway / Suite 500 New York, NY 10012 Tel.: +1 (212) 777-3051 Fax: +1 (212) 777-6960 E-Mail: leicaphoto@aol.com

Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday 12.00 pm - 6.00 pm Saturday 12.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Return To Sender: An exhibition of postables

Is there somewhere you would rather be? The inaugural BLINDSIDE Festival themed 'Everywhere But Here' is a multi-platform event where artists and the audience can connect, discuss, and imagine alternate destinations together.  

Return to Sender - An exhibition of postables will include a small collection of seven 5"x7"photographic prints by Anna Fawcus, documenting scenes from Africa, India, and Latin America.

Artists from across the world, post their creative works based on notions of travel and destination. This eclectic group of works documents the artists’ or the art work’s journey through time and place. BLINDSIDE’s postal route will be lined with biro scribbles, collaged topographies, painted meanderings, strange imaginings and photographs from afar.

Opening Thursday 9 August, 8.00-9.00pm. This exhibition runs from 9 to 11 August 2012. Exhibition hours are 12-6pm.

BLINDSIDE GALLERY

Level 7, Room 14, Nicholas Building 37 Swanston St Melbourne 3000

http://www.blindside.org.au/2012/everywhere-but-here.shtml

These are the selected photographs of mine to be included in this exhibition:

 

© Anna Fawcus

Seaweed Farmer in Zanzibar

 

 

© Anna Fawcus

Boy with gun in Afar region of Ethiopia

© Anna Fawcus

 

 

Rice Farmers in West Bengal, India

 

 

 

 

© Anna Fawcus

 

Quinoa Farmer in Puno, Peru

 

© Anna Fawcus

Donkey overlooking the Rift Valley in Kenya

© Anna Fawcus

Sea Turtle in Zanzibar

How to make bubble bags

After the 'Barefoot in Ethiopia' exhibition came off the walls of the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide, I needed to package the framed photographs, ready to be shipped to their next gallery. I rang several suppliers who make bubble-bags with the intention of buying pre-made bubble bags. There were no suppliers I could find who had a ready made product, although many suppliers were happy to make a custom sized pocket. Unfortunately, their minimum order quantity was mostly between 500 - 1000 units required for one order. I only needed 30 smaller bags (85cm x 65cm) and a few larger bags (115cm x 95cm). Although the unit cost for the bags from the suppliers was only between $3-$4 a bag, I simply didn't want 500+ units.

So, I set out to make my own bubble bags...

It was a relatively easy process, with great results, so I thought I would share the 'how to' knowledge for other photographers and artist out there, who may require smaller numbers of bubble bags for protecting art work.

Before I started, I had read several blog posts that suggested using a hot glue gun, which I purchased and tried, but would definitely not recommend as the best method.

I simply used an iron to melt the two edges together, with a layer of baking paper between the iron and the bubble wrap. I have included some photos of the process and will try to summarize in a step-by-step easy guide:

1. Measure artwork, and cut bubble wrap to the size of the artwork width and twice the length, allowing an extra 5cm for the width on the edges, and an extra 10-15cm for a flap at the top of the bag (flap size will vary depending on size of bag)

2. Fold cut bubble wrap over (so it looks like the bag should with flap sticking out at top), and make sure the edges are lined up straight (I suggest putting a sheet of cardboard or paper underneath to mark where the bubble wrap is placed for the first bag if you are making multiple bags the same size, as further bags can then just be placed on the markings)

3. Place baking paper over the edge of the bubble wrap to be sealed

4. Place a ruler/piece of wood/anything with a long straight edge approx 1cm from the edge over the top of the baking paper

5. Heat iron at top heat, then iron against the long straight edge, going back and forth a couple of times over the baking paper

6. Remove baking paper and repeat on other edge

Barefoot in Ethiopia Exhibition Opening

Last night was the opening of my photographic exhibition ‘Barefoot in Ethiopia’ at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide. David Smallacombe held the auction for us, selling 6 works of art done by the local community in Ethiopia and also selling 3 of the large limited edition photographs.Many other limited edition photographs were purchased off the walls. All of the proceeds go to Barefoot Initiative, to further their projects and work in the Afar region of Ethiopia, so it was truly wonderful to finish the evening knowing that we had managed to raise a substantial amount of funding already! Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a great night. For those who didn’t make it, the show will run until March 25th or works can be viewed online. Thanks to Dave for the following photos, I'll upload more photos from the opening in the coming days.

Final preparations for Barefoot in Ethiopia Exhibition

It's been a busy week with the final preparations for the exhibition. I've just completed signing and editioning all of the prints and dropped them at the Hill Smith Gallery. Looking forward to the opening Wednesday evening!

Signing limited edition prints for the Barefoot in Ethiopia exhibition opening

Barefoot in Ethiopia exhibition at the Hill Smith Gallery

I will be having an exhibition ‘Barefoot in Ethiopia’ at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide, Australia from March 14 – 25. The exhibition will be a fundraiser for Barefoot Initiative, with all proceeds from sales going directly to them. I have donated my time and expenses, and the Hill Smith Gallery have been very generous as the primary sponsor of the event. Check out the Hill Smith Gallery Website for a preview of the works and more information.