The Challenged Landscape

20 April - 21 May 2010

The strong history of landscape photography in Australia is not surprising. In recent times the impact of climate change on the land and on species survival in this vast continent has become the focus of many artists working with photography.

Curated by Sandy Edwards, The Challenged Landscape documents the fate of rivers, the importance of water, the significance of trees and plants in the environmental chain and the impact of global warming on plants and wildlife through bushfires and drought.

Nici Cumpston
Ruby Davies
Bonita Ely
Michael Hall
Peter Solness
Stephanie Valentin

Accompanying Public Program:

Opening Night Performance
Murray River Punch - the 21st Century
by Bonita Ely

Yarning Circle
Wednesday 21 April 12.30 - 2pm
Nici Cumpston, curator of Indigenous Australian Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia and artist in The Challenged Landscape, discussed her work and the Aboriginal history of Lake Bonney.

Panel Discussion
Thursday 20 May 3 - 4.30 pm,
followed by refreshments
Key researchers and artists held a lively discussion on the despoliation & timeless beauty of our rivers as water scarcity and the impact of climate change take effect.
Professor Stuart White, Director of Institute of Sustainable Futures, UTS
Professor Heather Goodall, Professor of History, UTS
Ruby Davies, artist
Asa Wahlquist, rural writer for The Australian
Tania Leimbach (chair)

The Challenged Landscape is  part of the Head On Photo Festival, running from 29 April - 5 June

In association with

Supported by
UTS: Jumbunna

UTS: Transforming Cultures

UTS: Institute of Sustainable Futures

Image: Stephanie Valentin earthbound 2009, from the earthbound series, pigment print, edition of 6. Courtesy the artist and Stills Gallery, Sydney
Michael Hall Stark landscape after severe drought 2007, from the climate change series, digital print, edition of 6. Courtesy the artist.

Supported by Oyster Bay Wines, Coopers Brewery

and Media Partner 2ser