Charles Bayliss – Landscape Photographer at The Art Gallery of New South Wales
By Ryan • Mar 27th, 2008 • Category: News for Creatives (archives), Photography“SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.- The Art Gallery of New South Wales presents Charles Bayliss – Landscape Photographer, on view through May 25, 2008. Charles Bayliss (1850-1897) is a leading figure in Australia’s photographic heritage. His photographs provide a unique insight into late nineteenth century Australia, both its landscape and its inhabitants.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is fortunate to hold two substantial albums of Bayliss’ later work, Collection of a country property, New South Wales (1886-1891) and New South Wales Royal Commission: conservation of water. Views of scenery on the Darling and Lower Murray during the flood of 1886.
Images from both albums, including several photographs not previously exhibited, are on display in the Gallery’s Focus Room until 25 May 2008.
These photographs demonstrate Bayliss’ considerable technical proficiency with the cumbersome photographic equipment of the period, showing how his careful orchestration and sophisticated use of figures within the landscape produced deceptively natural scenes. Bayliss’ sensitive portrayal of the local Indigenous peoples he met whilst travelling the Darling and Lower Murray rivers resonate in a contemporary setting. Equally interesting, given current debates over water management are his images of inland waterways. They provide rare glimpses of now threatened rivers in flood.”
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