PHOTO 2022 Parliament Commission

Throughout the lockdowns in Melbourne last year I rediscovered my Dad’s earlier archive. William Varney nurtured a keen and practised eye. Boxes of coloured slides from the mid ‘70s to early ‘80s, a bounty of memories and moments captured by his beloved Pentax Spotmatic c.1973. During this time of solitude I became witness to life through his eyes.

Beyond the family archive I was charmed by the closeness and intimacy of the gatherings. People connecting with tender gestures and conversation seemingly unfazed by the camera. A pure candour of life before the saturation of personal documentation & curation. This is the sublime unguardedness of being together.

An Unscripted Recording was commissioned by Photo festival 2022 & the Victorian Parliament and displayed on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne Victoria. Part of a series of artists exploring the theme of gathering in regional Victoria.

Published Online: The Guardian