Auckland Festival of Photography has something for everyone

The programme for the 8th annual Auckland Festival of Photography in June has been announced and will feature more than a hundred exhibitions and events across Auckland.

Auckland Festival of Photography has something for everyone

The programme for the 8th annual Auckland Festival of Photography in June has been announced and will feature more than a hundred exhibitions and events across Auckland.

A highlight of Auckland’s artistic event calendar, the Festival of Photography is New Zealand’s biggest photographic event with both a signature and fringe programme. 

2011 is also the inaugural year of the Auckland Festival of Photography’s Annual Commission, the sole annual public commission of photographic art by a fine arts photographer in New Zealand.

There is a rugby themed photo blog running throughout the month, Talking Culture Symposium presentations and talks and a Nikon Auckland Photo Day, when for one day only, photographers are asked to take a photo which reflects their Auckland.

“The Auckland Council is really pleased to be able to support such a great cultural event for the region,” says Mayor Len Brown.

 “The festival is a wonderful way to open up the art of photography to the public and also celebrate Auckland.”

“There are events happening from Matakana to Pukehohe, which makes it a fantastic opportunity for all Aucklanders to enjoy, “says Cr Alf Filipaina, Chair of Auckland Council’s Culture, Arts and Event Forum.   

“As well as having free public access, there are professionally curated exhibitions and open talks to go to, so there is something for everyone,” says festival director Julia Durkin.

“We want to celebrate the art of photography through our festival themes of culture, identity, participation and art.”

The festival runs from Friday 3 June – Sunday 26 June.

Find out more on www.photographyfestival.org.nz.

Key exhibitions and events:

• Roberta Thornley at the Aotea Gallery, 10 - 24 June.  This is Auckland Festival of Photography’s Annual Commission
• Brian Brake: Lens on the World at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki from 1 June.
• Mojave Desert: Guillaume Rivière at the Aotea Gallery from 10 – 24 June. This is in partnership with Toulouse MAP11, the Toulouse Festival of Photography.
• Gravity Festival Tuesday on 7 June. This is an evening gallery circuit of exhibition openings between Mt Eden, Ponsonby, Karangahape Road, the CBD and Parnell.
• Talking Culture Symposium – Conflict Photography on Saturday 4 June at the Aotea Centre
• Nikon Auckland Photo Day, 11 June across the region.