Alchemy exhibition

EXHIBITION DETAILS

In the late eighteenth-century Scientists William Talbot, Joseph Niepce and Louis Daguerre invented a chemical process of photography. It was described by many as the most extraordinary revelation in modern science. Prior to this, it was medieval Alchemists and Physicists, such as Al Hazan, who experimented with the camera obscura to form a transient projection of light and reproduction of reality, albeit upside down and created within a closed space or box.

Alchemy described the seemingly magical process of transforming metal elements, as well as speculative thinking before the emergence of chemistry and modern science. Analogue photographic methods use photo-sensitive metals, such as silver nitrate and light to create physical impressions of the world and therefore the term Alchemy has a strong affinity to photography. The diploma of photography and digital imaging students at Ultimo Campus, Semester 2 2023, are referencing the history of the photographic process and it’s seemingly mystical qualities as Alchemy within the title of their graduate exhibition.

The exhibition includes photographic works that explore women’s relationships to their bodies and each other, a celebration of the form and texture of food, the fluidity and omnipresence of water, collage, still life, portraiture, identity, landscape, fashion and photo documentary.

Alchemy will be exhibited at the Muse gallery, Ultimo from Nov 28th — November 30th, 2023.

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Exhibition dates: November 28th-30th, 2023​

Location:  The Muse, 651 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007

This exhibition has been made possible by TAFE NSW.