Wizard on Stage

In the early 1970s David Porter was a contributing photographer for some of the most influential Australian Rock music and underground publications (Go-Set, Daily/Planet, Rolling Stone (Australian Edition), The Digger. Porter was based in Melbourne, his subject the zeitgeist of its Rock/Pop music, underground theatre, and Counterculture scenes, sometimes working as ‘David Porter’, sometimes ‘Jacques L’Affrique’, sometimes ‘Jack Africa’. In 1973 he left Melbourne, stopped working in commercial photography, and pursued a teaching career.

THE WIZARD
British educator, activist Ian Brackenbury Channell moved to Australia 1963. As ‘the Wizard’ taught sociology, University of New South Wales (1964). Moved to Melbourne to teach synthetic cosmology Melbourne University. Self-appointed ‘Cosmologer and Shaman’ was designated a living work of art by the National Gallery of Victoria. Created the direct-action reform movements ALF (Action for Love and Freedom) and ‘ALF’s Imperial Army’. Moved to New Zealand 1973. In 1982, New Zealand Art Gallery Director’s Association announced him an authentic living work of art, whereby the city of Christchurch appointed him Wizard of Christchurch. 1990 appointed the Official Wizard of New Zealand by the Prime Minister of New Zealand. 2009 received Queen’s Service Medal. In June 1972 Wizard performed a benefit concert in Melbourne with After Dinner Moose, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Kush, Mackenzie Theory, S.C.R.A., Spectrum, Benny Zable Dancers