A new exhibition and book provide an opportunity to see a diverse range of images from across the entire New England region by forty local photographers.
The book New England High Country: Forty photographers will be launched with a combined exhibition and book launch at the New England Regional Art Museum at 6.00pm on Friday 23 March 2018.
The book project has been organised by experienced photographer Terry Cooke and the exhibition at NERAM provides visitors an opportunity to enjoy and purchase some of these images in larger formats.
“Terry Cooke is a remarkable photographer whose work has showcased our region over many years in a number of exhibitions and publications,” said Robert Heather, Art Museum Director. “In this project he has shared his talents, expertise and time to create a unique reminder of the beauty of our region.”
“The book and exhibition provide viewers with a portrait of New England through the eyes and lenses of a number of different people, creating unique glimpse into the people, place, landscape and culture of the High Country ranging from Walcha to Tenterfield.”
“The book is a fantastic souvenir for visitors coming to our region or gift for local residents.”
The aim of the project was to collect photographs of the region from as many photographers as possible, raise the required funds through crowdfunding, and then have judges choose the images to be used and then print and publish the book.
After consultation with a small group of local photographers a project plan was drawn up and a Flickr website created where photographers could upload their images. By 2017 over 3000 photographs of the region had been submitted to the Flickr website by 94 photographers.
The selectors then had a brief to choose images that would appeal to an Australian and overseas audience that also reflected life and living in the New England High Country, eventually selecting 122 photographs taken by 40 photographers for inclusion in the book. These range widely across town and rural life, landscapes and waterscapes, flora and fauna and the four seasons, their chosen images beautifully highlight the diversity found in this region of Australia.
In mid-2017, with the support of 137 contributors, a crowdfunding campaign successfully raised the funds required to print 1500 copies of the book. As one of the aims of the project was “to have a local community organisation raise funds through the distribution of the book”, the New England Regional Art Museum will be earning income from the distribution of the books to various outlets in the region and from retailing through their own store.
About the artist:
After a career in Land Surveying and Information Technology Terry Cooke retired to pursue his other interests, one of these being photography. His focus over the last few years has been photographing the many and varied landscapes and urban environments of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. He enjoys photographing local drama and musical productions, photographing while travelling around Australia and teaching photography.
About the book:
The book is a pictorial journey that begins in Armidale and then moves out into the surrounding region. It takes you out to the many towns and villages of the region while along the way taking time to pause for a look at the local flora, fauna and some unique country mailboxes.
Designed to show off what life is like on the New England High Country the book New England High Country – Forty Photographers makes a great gift for both visitors and for people living in the region and also for taking as a gift when travelling. Terry Cooke’s book New England High Country – Contrast and Colour, which sold 800 copies over four years, now resides in many countries around the world.
The exhibition New England High Country: Forty photographers will be on display at the New England Regional Art Museum until Sunday 3 June 2018.
The book is available through NERAM’s Museum Shop and other local tourism and retail book outlets including:
- Armidale Visitor Information Centre, 82 Marsh St, Armidale
- Reader’s Companion Bookstore, 151 Beardy St, Armidale
- Armidale Art Gallery (New England Art Society), 168 Beardy St, Armidale
- Saumarez Homestead, 239 Saumarez Rd, Armidale
- Weswal Gallery, 192 Brisbane St, Tamworth
If you are interested in stocking the book at your business then please contact NERAM directly.
