Face the faces

With the Archibald Prize proving as popular (if not more so) than ever, the portrait is still very much at the forefront of artistic practice in this country. Of course, the portrait lends itself effortlessly to the photographic medium; so it's hardly surprising that the two should meet in the 2007 edition of Head On at the Australian Centre for Photography.

Head On was founded in 2004 by photographer Moshe Rosenzveig as an alternative to other photographic portrait competitions. The first show was organised hastily; driven by community spirit, with no budget and offering no prize money. Still, the event managed to attract thousands of visitors.

The show has undergone exponential growth and has established itself as one of Australia's major photographic portrait exhibitions. It now presents a viable 'alternative' event to the 'elder statesman' in the field, the successful Photographic Portrait Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Quality is the main selection criterion for inclusion in the show, meaning that photographers from the well-known to the unknown are chosen to exhibit their work. The show helps not only in maintaining the status of photography as an art form but also creates a sense that it is a popular, democratic and accessible medium by the inclusion of photographers and subjects who are not necessarily well known.

Head On represents a vibrant, diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices. Images selected over the past 3 years ranged from digitally produced documentary portraiture to evocative portraits produced with the most basic picture-taking device of all - the pinhole camera.

Past winners of Head On include: photojournalist, Stephen Dupont, past Citigroup Portrait Prize winner, Greg Weight, commercial photographer, Sally McInerney Sydney Morning Herald photographer, Stephen Siewert and Melbourne photographer, Samantha Everton.

Head On has been running on a very limited budget raised through entry fees and thanks to the goodwill of many people. Its growing profile has however attracted attention, and this year's event will be supported by Canon, ACDSee Systems, Focal Press, McGuigan Wines, T-Bone, emailbrain, Belgravia at Union Bank, Climbing Wines, Momento , and Canvas.

In 2007 the show will open in one of Australia's major photography galleries, the Australian Centre for Photography and then travel to Daylesford Foto Biennale in June. The judges this year will be Sandy Edwards, an esteemed photographer, curator and past director of Stills Gallery, Gene Sherman, director of Sherman Galleries and Moshe Rosenzveig, Head On founder and curator.

Head On opens at the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington, Sydney on 20 April and runs till 26 May 2007.

David Edwards

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Head On - Alternative Portraits
2007

Venue: Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney
Dates: 20 April – 26 May 2007

Touring to: Daylesford Foto Biennale (3 June – 3 July 2007), Daylesford, Vic.

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