Ballarat International Foto Biennale has announced two mesmerising headline exhibitions featuring the work of internationally renowned photographic artists, Yvonne Todd (New Zealand) and Erik Johansson (Sweden).
Making its Australian premiere, Yvonne Todd’s The Stephanie Collection will feature compelling photographs and moving image, enticing curious audiences to look twice and explore their comfort levels and awkward feelings towards the works.
The New Zealand-based photographer is known for her unique and unconventional approach to portraiture and in 2019 Todd was a recipient of a Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. Todd’s work challenges photographic cliches by manipulating traditional photographic styles to create unexpected and provocative relationships.
Todd’s unsettling images often feature characters in striking costumes in unnatural poses. Their unfathomable glossy complexions, and a hint of ghoulishness: wigs, fake teeth, and prosthetics are highly styled and manipulated.
Yvonne Todd: The Stephanie Collection will be on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat from from 26 August – 22 October 2023. Free entry.
Exclusive to Ballarat, the world premiere of Swedish photographer Erik Johansson’s breath-taking suite of surreal landscapes and optical illusions that defy reality is a journey through the imaginary worlds he creates.
In this Australian premiere exhibition, How To Fly is influenced by Erik’s childhood memories of the Swedish countryside. Throughout his works in this unique display, Johansson incorporates Nordic nature, wide open landscapes and small red houses.
Johansson’s process is a complex, time-consuming combination of his own photographs, and the photographer creates just 6 – 8 new works per year.
How to Fly – Erik Johansson will be on display at the Ballarat Mining Exchange from 26 August – 22 October 2023. Ticketed event.
Vanessa Gerrans, CEO Ballarat International Foto Biennale said these two internationally renowned artists are a major coup for Ballarat and will draw curious audiences from across the country.
“What an honour to have two of today’s leading contemporary photographers here in Ballarat for our 10th Biennale,” said Gerrans. “As the nation’s capital of photography, we look forward to welcoming Yvonne and Erik to Ballarat and seeing audiences respond to their extraordinary work.”
The Ballarat International Foto Biennale runs from 25 August to 22 October 2023. Full program of events, exhibitions and talks will be released in July. For more information, visit: www.ballaratfoto.org for details.
Images: Yvonne Todd, New Portia, 2018 | Erik Johansson, The Swedish Space Program, C-Type, 112 x 140cm