Cross Sections of the human experience
Cross Section: The Documentary Photograph of Charles Page features photographs from Charles Page’s unique travels to over 70 countries.
The works are sorted into five themes: Red Cross Missions and War Zones, Boggo Road Prison, Antartica, Street Scenes, and Steam Trains.
Red Cross Missions - War Zones 1992 - 1997 took Page to conflict zones in Afghanistan, Malawi, Somalia and Chechnya.
Boggo Road Prison was one of the country’s most de-humanising jails, and during its operation Page was the only photographer ever allowed inside. His photographs provide a unique expose on prison life.
The Antarctica series showcases the vast ice continent with its dramatic polar skies, and includes human elements such as the last husky run of the winter.
The Street Scenes series, featuring people going about their daily business, demonstrates Page’s ability to simultaneously provide a platform for uncomfortable truths and capture unassuming and deep humanity.
QUT Art Museum’s Curator, Simone Jones says that when looking at the pictures in the Steam Trains series, it’s easy to see why photographing these large pieces of machinery are Page’s passion.
“It’s magical in that Page has captured these trains in places you wouldn’t expect to find them,” Jones said. “For example, one photograph shows a steam train between two houses in Victoria, and another train is in India in amongst a crowd of people walking down a street.”
Cross Section is on until 1 February 2009, is curated by Merle Hathaway and presented by the Horsham Regional Art Gallery.
QUT Art Museum, 2 George Street, Brisbane (next to City Botanic Gardens).
KERROD TROTT
