Facing the city

The faces of 100 Sydneysiders feature on giant banners lining the streets of the city as part of the Art and About Sydney festival.

The outdoor exhibition, known as The Blender Gallery features the photographic portraits on 400 banners around the city until October 24.

The images aim to reflect the city’s cultural diversity, as part of the City of Sydney’s ninth public art festival.

“I think that the portraits, by their breadth of different ethnicities and different socioeconomic groupings, reflect that Sydney has people of all ages, of all backgrounds, of all socioeconomic standings,” said photographer Louise Hawson.

The variety of subjects photographed not only illustrates the city’s diversity, but also provides a glimpse into Sydney’s intriguing personalities.

“You will see the diversity, strength, wit, quirkiness and vulnerability of everyday people in the images on display. From school children to the elderly, to friends and family, proving that art really is for all,” said Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Challenging the traditional limitations of a gallery, the 4.5 x 1.5 metre photographs line the streets throughout the CBD and City Villages such as Redfern Street and Glebe Point Road.

“Our aim was to bring the extraordinary diversity of Sydney faces to our streets, with these striking portraits not only letting us see ourselves as we are now, but out in the public spaces that are so much of our daily lives,” said artistic advisor, from Kaldor Arts Projects, John Kaldor.

For those who took part in the project, it was about creating a sense of community.

“I think that it is very important that the city does things like this because it brings the community, in a sense, together, seeing people that work in the community everyday, or that are seen in the community everyday,” said retiree, Sandra Bottrell.

“These type of photos give a sense of community . . . not just the workers in officers are a part of Sydney, everyone is,” said chef, Yun Kim.

But for others, partaking in such an experience was significant as it represented the acceptance of their gay relationship in the community and reflected their struggles.

“To have the opportunity to be in a photograph with my husband is fantastic,” said Qantas worker, Michael Jeanguyot.

Louise spent over four weeks photographing almost 500 subjects, often in uncanny, challenging conditions, such as the horrific rain in late May.

The banners, which line various streets, provide an exciting change to its usual landscape.

“It livens up city streets, it can be very impersonal, then suddenly you see these wonderful close-ups of some very interesting faces . . . it brings home that messages that we are a very mixed bunch,” said Sarah Hawson.

The Banner Gallery illustrates the city’s commitment to providing alternative forms of art and emphasises Sydney’s enriching diversity.

by Sophie Cousins