Forthcoming exhibition Close Up opens 1 July

Allen Kiely
Close Up
1 July – 9 August 2014

Curated by Rowan Sexton

Allen Kiely’s work spans many continents, featuring a diverse collection of images that document both traditional and contemporary culture. In this collection, entitled, Close Up, he has reflected on years of travel images from India, Africa, Asia and Europe. "What I love most about photography is trying to capture the people I meet. Travelling for me is a collection of memories of the people I encounter. Each person in these shots, recalls a fond memory, a moment in time, somewhere in the world - mostly after taking a bit of time and getting to know the person, not just sticking a camera in their face."

The subjects of the photographs evoke an awareness of cultural similarities and differences between our lives and theirs. The aesthetic sensibilities contained in these portraits capture a range of distinctive individuals, and offer a broader understanding of the world as a whole. As we examine the photographic trace of a physical memory, we see the life experiences of young and old etched on their faces, through their dispositions, emotions and personalities. An extensive spectrum of what constitutes individuals everyday lives is presented in this collection of work, which addresses a variety of diverse global societies, cultural legacies and traditions, and contrasts sharply with images focusing on contemporary celebrity culture.

Allen Kiely has been involved in commercial photography over the past twelve years. His photography has incorporated everything from food to festivals, and his portfolio includes work for both newspapers and private clients. Several of the images included in the exhibition Close Up have been published in National Geographic and Lonely Planet Guides.

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