'A Moment of Quiet' - Massey photography grad. students' exhibition, 17-29 October 2020

'A Moment of Quiet' - Massey University grad. students at Photospace Gallery, 17-29 October 2020

'A Moment of Quiet' is a group photographic exhibition by graduate students of Massey University's photography degree programme; Alexander Jago, Hendrix Hennessy-Ropiha, Jake Giles, Mckayla Woodroffe, Oliver Foster. The exhibition runs at Photospace Gallery, 1st floor 37 Courtenay Place, Wellington, Aotearoa NZ, from 17th to 29th October, 2020

‘The Waiting Room’ by Alexander Jago examines the quiet mundanity of life under lockdown. created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the photographs encourage a comparison of interior and exterior, restriction, and freedom. Photography’s ability to convey emotive information is central to the work with the images of the series straddling the gap between positive and negative, presenting the viewer with an opportunity to project their own experience.

Photo: Alexander Jago

'Stray Dog' by Jacob Giles explores the mundane and daily experiences through a process-based and self reflective lens. This project draws direct inspiration from making a photograph with a 4x5 view camera. Viewing the world projected on a sheet of glass has a luminous quality that can also be found and photographed when observing the everyday. 

Photo: Jacob Giles

OVERRIPE ORANGES by Oliver Foster photographically explores the individual experience of the quotidian. Foster takes a diaristic approach to capture the ephemeral moments of his everyday life. The photobook is composed to juxtapose images with each other, adding a new meaning to the moments. This project is an exploration into observing the fleeting quality of life and aims to present each moment elegantly.

Photo: Oliver Foster

There is very little visualisation of the experience of young mothers in New Zealand, they are often represented as a statistic or problem to be solved. How to walk with a baby is an 80 page photobook created by Mckayla Woodroffe. It explores the experiences of two women who gave birth to their daughters as teenagers, 20 years apart. The subjects homes and memories are photographed to create a portrait of them and narrate individual experiences. The book utilises archival imagery and after photography alongside text pulled from conversations between the photographer and subjects to encourage a deepened understanding of the experiences of young mothers.

Photo: Mckayla Woodroffe

We can travel only a short way together

We stood in the intersection and talked yet neither of us opened our mouths. You appeared younger, similar to when we first met, surrounded by a group who shared a closeness with you. It was strange, fading from a dream while simultaneously realising that for now, this would be our final farewell. 

Utilising the photograph as a tool for discussion, ‘We can travel only a short way together’ examines the underlying issues of taboo, restriction and invisibility when discussing suicide in New Zealand. 
- Hendrix Hennessy-Ropiha, 2020

Photo: Hendrix Hennessy-Ropiha

Where to find help and support: 
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584