Penguin Art Space

Feature Artist:

Madonna Mc Kenna

Photographer

Current Exhibition:

Floral Fantasy

1st August - 31st October 2010 

Artist Statement:

 I purchased my first camera from the local chemist when I was 11, on holidays with my Grandparents; I think that it took most of my pocket money that I had industriously saved during the previous 6 months. It was a Kodak and the processing was included in the cost of the film.

The resulting prints were only ever in black and white measuring about 3 x 3 inches. The photos were mainly of my siblings "posing" in the front garden.

‘Oh No’ is muttered from my oldest sister and youngest brother when I show one of my first and few remaining photos from this time.

 My first experience with a real camera was when I married, a fully manual SLR and that was when I really learnt about aperture and shutter priority settings.

I attended a fantastic course run by a professional photographer in Mackay and I think that was a turning point for me.

 I rarely "fix" or "treat" any of my photos, I don’t own Photoshop. Sometimes when viewed on the large screen, a tiny insect will appear on the petal of a flower, or uneven, unexpected colour variations, how amazing!

 We live in an original Devonport house which has the most amazing garden; it has been evolving for the last 120 years. There are always "surprises" just waiting to be discovered. Different plants and flowers just "show up" through the year and a stroll up the garden path can lead to hours of absorbed macro work.

 The pictures in this exhibition are from the Devonport garden or those of close friends, with the exception of the Frangipani, “Love” which of course was the beginning of my journey to Tasmania.

I enjoy most styles of photography but always it’s the flowers that draw my attention and focus…..

  “Let the beauty you love be what you do: There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground” - Rumi

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