Paper Tigers: War and Conflict on Camera
Photographs from the 'Paper Tigers' exhibition - an anthology of contemporary Australian photojournalism - capturing conflicts around the world
By Head On Foundation
Paper Tigers
Photojournalism, a mirror on society
Celebrating the best of Australian photojournalism, the Paper Tigers exhibition presents 60 images from 60 of the best Australian photojournalists. It is through the lens of these photographers that we understand and experience much of the world's events.
"Some of our photojournalists risk their lives. (These photojournalists) have brought images of war and armed conflicts around the world to our living rooms at no small cost to themselves." Alan Davies, Emeritus Curator of Photographs at the State Library of New South Wales
Widow Grieves as her husbands body is removed from helicopter (1965) by Tim PageHead On Foundation
Tim Page
Widow Grieves as her husbands body is removed from helicopter
Tim Page became world-renowned for his coverage of the Vietnam War. Wounded on multiple occasions, he defined and epitomised the war photographer of his generation.
This photo was taken just weeks after arriving in Vietnam in 1965 – evacuees from the overrun district of An Hoa at Quang Ngai airstrip. The body of the grieving widow’s husband is being taken off the chopper.
OPM (“Free Papua”) guerrillas in the highlands of West Papua during an independence flag-raising ceremony (1995) by Ben BohaneHead On Foundation
Ben Bohane
OPM (“Free Papua”) guerrillas in the highlands of West Papua during an independence flag-raising ceremony. Nduga area, West Papua, 1995
Ben Bohane is a Vanuatu-based photojournalist and television producer who, over 25 years, has specialised in the Pacific region with a focus on religion and wars.
Up to half a million Papuans have perished since Indonesia invaded in the 1960s and took control of the territory. It remains the most severe and under-reported conflict in the Pacific today.
Romel Lelis' Funeral Casket (2016-09-17) by David TaconHead On Foundation
Dave Tacon
Romel Lelis' Funeral Casket
Shanghai-based Dave Tacon is a two-time Walkley Award winner, winner of a Foreign Press Association Award (UK), a Quill Award from the Melbourne Press Club, an EPSON International Pano Award, and is a twice finalist in Australia’s National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Tacon's image shows Siony Lelis weeping over the corpse of her son Rommel Lelis, 34, who lies in an open casket at the funeral of him and his brother Ronaldo Jr, 29 - in Manilla, The Philippines on 17 September 2016. The brothers were killed by police on 4th September in what police claimed was a shoot-out.
The Philippine Daily Enquirer newspaper reported that the men showed injuries consistent with torture and that the car police claimed they were killed in did not sustain any damage from gunshots.
According to human rights groups and news outlets, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs has claimed more than 12,000 lives as of January 2020.
Ahmed Shah Massoud (1998) by Stephen DupontHead On Foundation
Stephen Dupont
Ahmed Shah Massoud, Afghanistan, 1998
Stephen Dupont is an Australian artist who works with photography and documentary film. He is recognised around the world for his concerned photography on the human condition and climate.
Stephen Dupont was on assignment for the French magazine Le Figaro covering a profile story about legendary Afghan warlord Massoud. Massoud’s Northern Alliance was in control of only ten per cent of Afghanistan; the Taliban controlled the rest. Stephen was given such close access that he could candidly photograph pretty much everything he did.
Stephen said, “He had a mesmerising and powerful presence when in his company, which made photographing him really exciting. I am looking for the unguarded moment, the right light, composition and the moment.”
It all came together in an orchard outside the northern town of Faizabad. Massoud and his friends had just finished prayers at sundown when something caught his gaze skyward. Later, Stephen asked Massoud’s assistant why he was given such incredible access; he said that Massoud liked him because he never asked him to pose or got in his way - the ultimate compliment for Stephen.
Wael (2016-04-06) by Darrian TraynorHead On Foundation
Darrian Traynor
Wael
Darrian Traynor is an Australian based freelance photojournalist, covering everything from sport, major events, breaking news to feature documentary work.
Pictured, Wael Alnamla sits in the home of his parents in Rafah, a town on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, Gaza City, Gaza on 6th April 2016.
Wael was injured during major conflict in 2014. This year marks 10 years since the beginning of the blockade of the Gaza Strip. The blockade started following the 2006 Palestinian elections, after the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, won with an overwhelming majority.
Over 1.8 million people live on the 360 square km strip of land, much of which was destroyed including water treatment and electricity supply facilities during the 50-day war between Israel and Hamas-led militants.
Celebration of the Islamic Revolution in Iran by Michael CoyneHead On Foundation
Michael Coyne
Celebration of the Islamic Revolution in Iran
Coyne’s work has appeared in many illustrious publications such as Newsweek, Time, National Geographic, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian, Paris Match, London Independent Magazine and Vogue.
In his photograph we see goose-stepping Iranian soldiers march through Tehran during a celebration of the Islamic revolution and a takeover of power by Ayatollah Khomeini. Michael spent nine years of his life as a photojournalist travelling back and forth to Iran covering the Iran/Iraq war and the Islamic revolution in Iran.
On this occasion, he was in Tehran for the anniversary of the Islamic revolution for National Geographic magazine. He planned to photograph it from the footpath, but suddenly his changed my mind and lay down in the middle of the road, and the soldiers marched over the top of him.
Sailors Waltz (1986) by Peter SolnessHead On Foundation
Peter Solness
Sailors Waltz, Sydney 1986
Peter Solness is a multi-award-winning photographer, artist, educator and writer, who began his 40 year photography career contributing surfing photos to magazines in the 1970s, before working as a photojournalist for major news media publications.
It was the 75th anniversary for the Royal Australian Navy, and many Australian and international sailors were in town to celebrate. Many girls caught trains in from western Sydney to the CBD to join in the celebrations. The last dance of the night was a waltz. No one seemed in a hurry to go home.
Explore more iconic imagery from Australia's best photojournalists, in our series of Paper Tigers stories.
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