Powerhouse’s Annual ‘Photofields’ Event Announces Stunning Celestial Program

Powerhouse’s annual photography event, Photofields, returns to Sydney this December. The event organisers have just announced a packed program, from workshops, talks to screenings and an exhibition.

Held across the Ace Hotel, Golden Age Cinema and Sydney Observatory, the exhibition celebrates the intersection of work from leading photographers, astronomers and filmmakers, exploring the powerful role of lens-based media in telling stories about the cosmos, the sky, and Country.

Celebrating 150 years of celestial photography with artists galore

Marking the 150th anniversary of the Sydney Observatory’s iconic photograph of the Transit of Venus from 1874, Photofields honours the event of unexpected collaboration between astronomers and photographers, along with arts and sciences, through an array of photography-focused events.

The program kicks off with an engaging conversation at Ace Hotel between acclaimed Australian artists Trent Parke and Narelle Autio, who will discuss their storied career and recent work.

Golden Age Cinema will screen Theo Anthony’s thought-provoking documentary ‘All Light, Everywhere’ (2021), which examines the biases of human perception and the history of astronomy.

Prior to the feature, audiences can see Liselle Mei‘s short film ‘Human Computer’ (2024), a tribute to Winsome Bellamy‘s role in the ‘Carte du Ciel‘ star-mapping project.

Photofields offers creative experiences for budding photographers and astronomy fans

Sydney Observatory will host hands-on workshops, where participants can learn cameraless lumen printing with Yvette Hamilton, shadow photography with Meng-Yu Yan, and connecting to landscapes through photography with First Nations artist Peta Clancy.

The 20th anniversary Southern Sky Astrophotography 2024 exhibition, featuring top entries from the annual David Malin Awards, a competition by the Central West Astronomical Society for AstroFest and sponsored by CSIRO Space and Astronomy.

The free exhibition, running from 5 December to 1 February, showcases stunning photography and includes telescope demonstrations with Western Sydney University astronomers. Visitors will have the chance to explore Australia’s oldest telescope and the tradition of celestial photography at the Observatory.

‘Photography can connect us to our past, present and future, inspiring new ways of seeing and thinking about the world around us. Powerhouse is thrilled to bring Photofields to Sydney Observatory, where public can connect with industry leaders in photography and astronomy,’ said Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah.

Reflecting on their role, photographers Parke and Autio said, ‘Photography has always been a way of life for us. From the moment we met, it has been at the heart of our shared journey, guiding our discoveries in both life and art. We’re excited to return to Sydney– a meaningful chapter in our life, where we met and created our first major project– to share our work and our stories at Photofields.’

Photofields is part of Powerhouse Photography, a series dedicated to advancing photography in Australia, made possible with generous support from the Australian Centre for Photography.

To see Photofields’ full program and schedule, please visit https://powerhouse.com.au/program/photofields-2024