ART IN URBAN EXPLORATION
Visiting over 30 abandoned locations throughout NSW, Sharon Lewis and Richard Jones’ photographic exhibition ‘Art In Urban Exploration’ captures the beauty of the decaying moments found in forgotten places.
Participating in what is commonly known as Urban Exploration the couple have crept through old tram stations, hospitals, houses, asylums, orphanages and industrial locations. “Urban exploration is a new movement or hobby that is taking off around the world, some cities even have tours or meet ups to explore a cities abandon places” explains Richard.
The pair have captured the broken, the scratched and the tarnished grace of these discarded locales and will be exhibiting their work at Beach Burrito Company, Wollongong on Friday 1 May from 6pm.
Using a special photographic technique, Sharon and Richard arrest a brilliant range of luminosity in their pictures. “Through the use of High Dynamic Range Photography as a medium, we capture a surreal window into these abandoned places, attempting to attach an emotion to the story of the decaying beauty they contain” says Richard. The final result being beautifully enhanced tonal ranges and vivid lighting effects.
“Their photos have an essence of old film photography, where a stocking covered in Vaseline would be placed over the lens to help soften harsh light and smooth skintones. However the effect it has on this pairs subject results in a haunting feeling. The images contain a sense of movement, almost as if a presence lurks in the shot.” said Trina Collins, exhibition curator for Beach Burrito Company, Wollongong
Lighting is particularly important for this couple who have been working together for the past 8 years. Sharon is a well know lighting designer & operator with over 20 years experience. She has worked for national & internationally recognised bands and has extensive experience in the film & theatre industries. Along with Richard, she also operates two video production companies, Immersion Imagery and Kontrol Productions.
The pair have worked on 3 feature films, over 40 music videos and a multitude of commercial clips. Sharon and Richard are currently working on an indigenous documentary with the Barkindji people and some of their macro footage will be used in an upcoming National Geographic film. “Art and photography has played a big part in our lives, we both share a love of cinema and film production” said Richard “Some are surprised when we say that one of our main hobbies is photography when our professional time is spent in the similar field of Video Production. Although to be honest it is what we do enjoy doing in our down time”.
Art In Urban Exploration open Friday 1 May, 2015 6pm Beach Burrito Company, Wollongong. 1 Globe Lane, Wollongong. Exhibition will be on show throughout the month of May.
