Paper Tigers: Australian Photojournalists Overseas
Photographs from the 'Paper Tigers' exhibition - an anthology of contemporary Australian photojournalism - by Australian photojournalists, reporting international events
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.
"Australia’s photojournalists have a proud history of holding a mirror to society - both at home and abroad - illustrating a story and distilling it into a single image or series of images." Alan Davies, Emeritus Curator of Photographs at the State Library of New South Wales
Signs of the Times (1989) by Illana RoseHead On Foundation
Ilana Rose
Signs of the Times, New York 1989
Ilana Rose has worked as a professional photographer and photojournalist for nearly 30 years working for some of the most respected media outlets.
"As I walked through Times Square in New York for the first time, I was fascinated by the famous electric news ticker displaying news headlines as they happened, and the steam permeating the streets from the subway below."
"When I saw the headline ‘Syria apologizes for attack’ and the billboards, ‘The only way to get higher is illegal’ and ‘I Madman’, combined with the ghostly images of the people walking through Times Square, I knew that I had an image that for me, perfectly encapsulated New York during that time."
A Teenage Boy and His Monkey by Jessica HromasHead On Foundation
Jessica Hromas
A teenage boy and his monkey in Mumbai, India.
Jessica Hromas, is a freelance photojournalist and portrait photographer. She was most recently a Picture Editor and photographer for The Guardian Australia.
"I’ve travelled to India a number of times. This image summarizes some of the magic, theatre, and hardship facing so many people who live there."
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.
Day In The Life of America (1986) by Gerrit FokkemaHead On Foundation
Gerrit Fokkema
Day In The Life of America
Beginning in 1975, Gerrit Fokkema was a staff photographer with The Canberra Times. He later joined The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper and then the Good Weekend weekly magazine before leaving in 1987 to pursue a freelance career.
His image captures retired poultry inspector Elizabeth Carey and her 16-month-old great-granddaughter, Brandy Rowden, at the social barbeque before a Ku Klux Klan cross-burning ceremony at a property near Flowery Branch, about 70 kilometres from Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1986, Gerrit was invited to participate in the Day In The Life of America project and assigned to cover activities of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in rural Georgia. When the book was published, the publishers received hate mail and threats from both supporters and those opposed to the KKK. The image was published again in 2017 in The Good Fight: America’s Ongoing Struggle For Justice.
Carabinero De Chile (2015-10) by Luis AscuiHead On Foundation
Luis Ascui
Carabinero De Chile
For over 25 years Chilean born documentary photographer Luis Ascui covered stories for the world’s major agencies (Reuters, AP, Getty Images) and publications.
This image shows woman detained by police during a protest commemorating the day of the Race in Santiago Chile in October 2015. Thousands of protesters marched in Chile's capital, Santiago, denouncing discrimination against the country's indigenous peoples amid the annual Columbus Day commemorations.
The Tragedy of Rana Plaza by Nicola BaileyHead On Foundation
Nicola Bailey
The tragedy of Rana Plaza
Across her portfolio of travel, lifestyle, current events and portrait photography, Nicola Bailey’s work speaks volumes about her love for people, connectedness and community.
In Bailey's photograph, family and friends hold up photos of their loved ones missing after Rana Plaza collapsed in Bangladesh.
Tears for 51 (2014-07-28) by Mark BakerHead On Foundation
Mark Crusty Baker
Tears for 51
After a very short stint on staff at The Sydney Morning Herald, Mark joined Reuters News Agency (1988-2003), and then joined and remains at Associated Press, leaving Sydney in early 2009, for postings in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok.
In his image, we see Indonesian Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the port in North Jakarta, Indonesia on 28th July 2014.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Semana Santa by Jaime MurciaHead On Foundation
Jaime Murcia
Semana Santa, Cartagena, Spain.
Jaime Murcia is a photographer based in Melbourne, Victoria. He tells stories through images, striving to convey a strong sense of place, and the spirit of the people he photographs.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the Spanish name for Easter. Dating back to the 16th Century, scenes from the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are told through a series of processions, that run from dusk until dawn throughout Spain.
The skill and expertise behind the parades rest with the religious fraternities and brotherhoods seen in this image. They have the responsibility of maintaining the statues as well as coordinating the penitents and musicians.
Immersion (2009) by Paul BackmoreHead On Foundation
Paul Blackmore
Immersion
Renowned for covering social and political issues in Australia and internationally, Paul Blackmore’s books, work and essays have been widely exhibited and published
In 2009 at Monastery Velikiy, at the Russian Orthodox festival of Epiphany which celebrates the baptism of Christ, a young man immerses himself in freezing waters in the act of spiritual cleansing. Each year a crucifix is carved into the frozen lake in front of the monastery. From the series At Water's Edge.
Explore more iconic imagery from Australia's best photojournalists, in our series of Paper Tigers stories.
