Between Sunshine and Shadow: The Photographs of John Cato

The powerful imagery created by Australian photographer John Cato is being recognised in a retrospective at the 2013 Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

The esteemed nature and landscape photographer, who died two years ago at the age of 85, is considered one of the first Australian photographers to explore the lyrical and poetic aspects of the country’s wilderness and landscapes.

Often spending extended lengths of time in the outback, Cato’s meticulous timing and patience for obtaining exactly the right conditions resulted in a body of striking images that capture an almost spiritual view of nature and the elements.

As a mentor and teacher, Cato was equally passionate. He felt ‘duty bound’ to hand on his experience and became department head at the Prahran College of Advanced Education (later Victoria College) from 1979 until he retired in 1991. His students include photographers Bill Henson, Polly Borland, Julie Millowick, Andrew Chapman and Nino Martinetti.

Comprising forty gelatin silver photographs spanning 1971-1991, the retrospective is complemented by a video feature John Cato: Between Sunshine and Shadow, which will be shown at the exhibition itself and available on DVD.

The fifth Ballarat International Foto Biennale runs from August 17 through to September 15. Its core program is a series of 20 invited exhibitions by Australian and international artists, with exhibitions staged across eight heritage buildings across the city. Aside from the retrospective tribute to Cato, none of the exhibitions in the core program will have been previously shown in Australia.

Ballarat International Foto Biennale
August 17 – September 15, 2013
Various locations
www.ballaratfoto.org

Between Sunshine and Shadow – John Cato from David Callow on Vimeo.

By Matt Hurst