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Richard Avedon People: back to NY and incredible photography without leaving Melbourne

artists, spaces

12 January 2015

There are many things I miss about New York City. I miss Brooklyn, I miss my favourite café (Bakeri in Williamsburg) and I miss the art.

Recently over coffee, my dear friend Christopher Köller reminded me about the Richard Avedon (1923–2004) exhibition at The University of Melbourne's The Ian Potter Museum of Art: Richard Avedon People. The other day I went there without expectations and walked out with a sense of having just travelled. Travelled back to NYC and travelled back to incredible photography.

I am "old school"; I only shoot with a Rolleiflex and film is my loyal friend... I know how to work it; I like the surprises and the mistakes and the quality of a 6 x 6 negative. A silver gelatin print always captures my attention and eye.

The Ian Potter Museum of Art is a beautiful space. The eighty works by Avedon are presented over two levels in partnership with The Richard Avedon Foundation (New York) and the National Portrait Gallery (Canberra).

"One of the world's great photographers, Avedon is best known for transforming fashion photography from the late 1940s onwards. The full breadth of Avedon's renowned work is revealed in this stunning exhibition of 80 black and white photographs dating from 1949 to 2002. Avedon's instantly recognisable iconic portraits of artists, celebrities, and countercultural leaders feature alongside his less familiar portraiture works that capture ordinary New Yorkers going about their daily lives, and the people of America's West. With uncompromising rawness and tenderness, Avedon's photographs capture the character of individuals extraordinary in their uniqueness and united in their shared experience of humanity."

Avedon printed each work before his death in 2004, whilst on assignment at the age of 81. Richard Avedon People is on until 15 March 2015.

The Ian Potter Museum of Art
The University of Melbourne
Swanston Street (view location on Google Maps)
Parkville VIC 3010

Until 15 March

Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 5pm