The gallery is pleased to present our first series of work from acclaimed Australian photographer, Ben Thomas. The Hasselblad Master has a dynamic approach to photography. When he moved to Melbourne in his mid-twenties, the camera was his key to discovering the vibrant city. Since then, he has photographed the Australian landscape in a uniquely hyperreal style, combining a documentary eye with a strong visual aesthetic that slowly reveals a hidden narrative playing out, and asks how people identify with their surroundings.
In his latest series, Water, Thomas explores Australia’s most impressive natural phenomenon: its ocean. Utilising distortion and perspective in his photographs, Thomas casts beachgoers and surfers as minuscule figurines in his vast landscapes, while his bleached-out vistas of saltwater swimming pools and sandy beaches adhere more closely to compositional traditions. Wherever you glance, Thomas is playing with your eye; you have to look twice if you want to experience the full impact of these visually rich and playful scenes.
Adding Hasselblad Master to his list of awards, Ben has been recognized on multiple occasions previously: Winner, LensCulture Emerging Talents 2016 Jurors’ Pick; Finalist, William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize 2016; Winner, 125 LIVE Olympus Vision Award (London) 2015 honoring an established artist for pushing the boundaries of the medium through innovation, technical expertise and originality; Winner in Photography Category, Desktop Create Awards 2015.
