Ink to image
Event description
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In the annals of Western Australian exploration, the John Forrest expedition of 1874 stands as a pivotal moment, carving a path through the rugged inland from Geraldton to the Peake Telegraph station in South Australia. At the heart of this historic journey was James Sweeny, a farrier whose role extended beyond the care of horses to become a chronicler of the expedition's everyday trials and triumphs.
As the great-grandson of James Sweeny, I am proud to unveil a unique photographic exhibition that not only pays homage to the remarkable journey undertaken by my ancestor but also sheds light on the often-overlooked perspective of an 'ordinary' man on an extraordinary expedition.
The cornerstone of this exhibition is the original diary of James Sweeny, a document that captures the essence of life on the trail, where the mundane and the extraordinary coalesce.
The exhibition will be launched at 3PM on Monday 18th exactly 150 years since the explorers left Perth.
Register to attend the launch.
Greg Branson
Greg was born in Norseman, Western Australia and educated in Perth. His passion for traditional analogue photography was honed during his training in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Acquiring an Advanced Diploma in Photography from Northern Metro TAFE, Greg continued his education with a BA in Journalism, Film and Television from Curtin University. Photographic roles at Curtin University led to teaching photography in the The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology graphic design program.
Greg used his photographic skills when he and Carol Mackay founded a design studio: Mackay Branson design. Following technology, his photography migrated from analogue to digital until, tiring of endless hours in front of a computer screen, Greg returned to analogue photography in 2018.
His refound love has culminated in three group and one solo exhibition in 2023.
With a firm belief that analogue photography demands patience and a penchant for storytelling through images, Greg has found his niche as the coordinator of the analogue photography group at the Melbourne Camera Club.