PHOTO 2021 International Festival of Photography

This new photography festival will transform streets and spaces across Victoria into mini outdoor galleries.
Libby Curran
January 07, 2021

Overview

Victoria's arts scene had a pretty tough go in 2020, with events cancelled and galleries shut for a good chunk of the year. But the brand-new PHOTO 2021 International Festival of Photography hopes to fire things up again, delivering a jam-packed program of art and culture from Thursday, February 18–Sunday, March 7.

After a missed launch last year, the festival now makes its debut, with a forward-thinking lineup of exhibitions and events to grace streets, spaces and galleries across both Melbourne and regional Victoria.

You'll have the chance to catch inspiring works from a diverse lineup of international photography talent — from Eliza Hutchison's experimental political works gracing the outside of Parliament House, to a participatory portrait project that'll see Fed Square flooded with faces, which ponders questions of identity across the weekend of February 18–21.

Also on the bill: a series of bold works commissioned as part of the Metro Tunnel Creative Program, from the likes of New Zealand's Ann Shelton and Japanese artist Kenta Cobayashi. And prominent spots like Prahran Square, the State Library, the Royal Botanic Gardens and AC/DC Lane will be transformed into outdoor galleries, each hosting installations for the duration of the festival.

Untitled from Photographic Universe. 2019. © Kenta Cobayashi

Top image: An Invitation to Dance, Ann Shelton / Federation Square, Charles Thomas.

Information

Tap and select Add to Home Screen to access Concrete Playground easily next time. x