Joy Before the Object

Overview

Fans of photography have the whole summer to scuttle into Joy Before the Object, a display of works spanning 150 years from 23 different artists at the Art Gallery of NSW.

The gallery's own photography curators have selected their pick of the most arresting, interesting images in the collection from both Australian and international photographers. From what the photographer initially intends to say about the world through the captured object, through to its final transformation in the eyes of the viewer receiving the finished product, Joy Before the Object proposes to question the objectivity of the medium of photography itself.

In what sounds like an exhibition full of contrast, you’ll be able to peruse artists ranging from Roger Fenton, founder of what is now the Royal Photographic Society and one of the world’s first war photographers, to Weimar-era German photographer Albert Renger-Patzsch, from whose writings the exhibition takes its title, to contemporary Australian photographers Emma White and Catherine Rogers.

Drop by on Wednesdays at 5.30pm to hear talks from featured artists. View the full talks program here.

Image: Catherine Rogers Cups (2007) from the series The culture of the table