Extreme for more than Ten Days...

When the environment is pushed to its limits – bushfire, flood, snow and the most untouched pristine wilderness, we experience intense joy, fear and sorrow.

In the tradition of masters such as Olegas Truchanas and Peter Dombrovskis, the extreme artists have pushed their own limits to give voice to the broken, the forgotten, the fragile, the ravaged and the muted.

Extreme means something different to us all but I have noticed with interest the extraordinary lengths and drive from photographers to document a moment or capture a feeling. While early photography was male dominated, over the last 15 years there has been an increase in women taking to remote areas across Tasmania and bringing a different eye, discussion and focus.



Peak flood by Rick Eaves

This exhibition includes work from a number of accomplished Tasmanian photographers who are constantly pushing themselves to the limit to capture the extremes in their environment and to bring distant struggles into sharp focus. Alongside these sit the important photographs by Peter Dombrovskis. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience how the photographer merges with the environment and what inspires them.

Hours and sometimes days or weeks of waiting, exploring and searching can result in that one photograph. In curating this work I felt it important not to distract from the image itself. To simply pin the printed photographs to the wall and make them vulnerable and accessible to the viewer and the elements; much like the photographer is vulnerable, was important for me.

I thought about the intention of the artist, the integrity of the image and the needs of the viewer with the aim of connecting them to both the subject and the photographer. To give them a brief glimpse into the world of someone who is driven and obsessed with photographing the Tasmanian environment.



Rogue by Hillary Younger



Thanks to Simon Olding for the printing, Fiona Tabart for design and all contributing photographers. I know that there are so many more of you out there and I look forward to seeing your work on our gallery walls.

Extreme will be exhibited in the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery at Cradle Mountain Hotel until at least the end of June and is part of Ten Days on the Island 2017. For more information please email K.Eastley@cradlemountainhotel.com.au or call 0439 262 344



Death by Dogs by Carol Maney