PORTRAITURE FILLS THE WALLS AT GEELONG’S FOCAL POINT DARKROOM AND GALLERY

North Geelong’s Focal Point Darkroom and Gallery is filling its walls with images from local photographers for its third exhibition, Humanity – an exhibition of the human spirit, which opens tomorrow (Friday, May 3).

In a bid to support local artists, gallery owner and photographer Craig Watson said Humanity is the first exhibition he’s opened to public entry.

“Portraiture is such a big, popular genre,” he said.

“We’ve got about 25 or 26 photographers to showcase, and most of them are amateurs, unknown or up and coming. There are a few professional photographers who have submitted photographs of famous figures as well.

“In terms of style, we have a great range – from head and shoulder type shots to unusual, manipulated photos and environmental portraits.”

The gallery space opened its doors earlier this year, with around 400 people walking through the inaugural exhibition.

Watson said he hopes the portraiture exhibition will encourage more people to visit as he is “not selective” during the curating process.

“I guess with all exhibitions it’s a case of trying to have a good range of stuff,” he said.

“My aims with this gallery are twofold – to deliver high quality exhibitions to the general public, celebrating photography in all its forms, and to support local photographers, both established and emerging.

“We can only achieve these goals with the support of the local photography community.”

Watson’s gallery can play host to 200 photographs. Photographers who entered in Humanity were able to submit four photographs each.

“The space is the size I wanted. It allows us to do everything without having to compromise,” said Watson.

Some of the gallery owner’s own images will also be featured, including photos of Norfolk Island, a portrait of the Queen at
Sovereign Hill and an image of one of the nurses from the flying ambulance aircraft.

Humanity opens on May 3 and will run until May 26. All photos will be for sale. The gallery is located at 46 Douro Street, North Geelong and is open from 10am-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

Entry is free. For more information, visit focalpointdarkroomgallery.com.au.