Welcome to Festival Zone for April 2023.
The Auckland Festival of Photography is pleased to share a preview of this year's 20th anniversary edition.
Resistance at Auckland Festival of Photography – 2023
Image by Kostiantyn Sova; Ukraine
Only one week to go til we announce 2023's Festival programme. Outdoor, online and in venue exhibitions that explore the theme of Resistance [ātete] are at the heart of this year’s Auckland Festival of Photography, which runs 31 May -11 June. Full programme announced 12 April 2023.
AFP remains agile in delivering a festival in the current unsettled environment, with content that reflects ecological, social and political uncertainty. Our 2023 Festival programme has invited photography which is thoughtful and critically expressive within a broad range of practice says AFP founder Julia Durkin, MNZM. “This year’s edition of the Auckland Festival of Photography is our 20th Anniversary edition. And in recognition of all the funders, sponsors, and photographers who have helped to keep the Festival alive for 20 years our theme this year is Resistance/ātete. We are delighted to be able to offer another high quality free celebration of visual culture.
I am really proud to have led the Festival through all its stages of development since 2004 and now, in 2023, we present this anniversary edition. We've innovated our way through and built a growing audience for photography."
In the widest sense, 2023’s festival theme resistance [ātete] can define a series of actions - of pushing back, stopping inequality, holding back the extinction of species or the usurping of people, taking a stand, belief, hope, holding one’s ground and fighting. In 2023, resistance/ātete can be seen at its most noble in the spirit of the Ukrainian people, fighting to defend their country from Russian aggression.
As it relates to visual imaging and culture, resistance [ātete] speaks to innovation and initiative, breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo. In their practice,artists must resist pressure to comply with an economic model and within an art establishment where, for so many, making a living out of being creative is so difficult. Resistance [ātete] pays tribute to the Ukrainian people and to artists’ and innovators’ determination and tenacity in the struggle to convey alternative ideas and ideologies, and overcome adversity. Resisting giving up is the only option. More news next week!
Image above from 'On the trail of Ukrainians under the invasion, Estuary Art Centre in Orewa will open a new exhibition about the people of Ukraine under conditions of total war'.
Festival 2023 highlights
She could lie on her back and sink including Ann Shelton (Pakeha, Italian, Aotearoa New Zealand) Louie Zalk-Neale (Ngai Te Rangi, Pakeha Otaki), Tai Shani (UK) - Gus Fisher Gallery, CBD
She could lie on her back and sink explores witchcraft through contemporary artistic practice. The exhibition awakens past and present knowledge systems pertaining to the medicinal, spiritual and magical applications of plants, animals and fungi. Featuring film, photography, installation and performance, the show is framed through a feminist lens where wise women and their practices are revered.
Image by Ann Shelton - On certain days or nights she anoints a staff and rides (Brugmansia, Angels Trumpet, snowy angel's trumpet, angel's tears, Datura [misleading]), 2022
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Siobhan Costigan (NZ) - When It Rains - Online
"I use photography, which is a powerful tool to show both the physical and psychological impacts of global warming, as currently one in seven people in New Zealand live in flood prone areas. By using myself as the protagonist in many of my images, I hope to illustrate how the effects of rising sea levels are impacting our daily lives" - Artist statement abridged.
Aotearoa Music Photo Award 2023
1st prize winner 2021 - Veronica McLaughlin, Delaney Davidson
Image Auckland is delighted to announce the 2023 Music Photography Award | Whakaahua Puoro Toa.
Award call opens: 1 - 20 May
Prize winners announced: 26 May
1st prize - $1250 cash
2nd prize - $500 cash
Participation in the future exhibitions in 2024 plus other digital/projections/promotion of your winning image.
Plus benefits to all entrants -
- Inclusion in the 2023 Festival programme - the 20th edition of the festival!
- Our Festival is internationally recognised.
- Support of Festival infrastructure - we place the spotlight on photography - attracting extensive publicity through a wide variety of media channels.
- A online display of your entries on the festival website and promotion through the festival social media accounts.
- Invitation to attend the Festival prize giving (own arrangements) and the opportunity to visit other Festival project/events - consider meeting/networking with like minded artists/photographers.
Music Photography Awards street show - April 2023
image auckland [tāmaki makaurau], from 21st April into May 2023 we are pleased to present a curated selection of photographs from 2021-2022's Music Photography Award | Whakaahua Puoro Toa in Takapuna.
The outdoor street exhibition is part of Auckland Festival of Photography ongoing commitment to create experiences with images that inspire, connect, and educate, whilst supporting the Aotearoa NZ music photography scene. Image above, courtesy AFP, install start with thanks to Eat Street Takapuna.
The image auckland [tāmaki makaurau] exhibition will be on show as part of our lead in activities, to the announcement of the 2023 Award winners which will take place in Auckland in May.
2023 Award call for entires opens 1st May on the Auckland Photo Blog. See Award page for more information.
