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John Malcom |
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| Matakana PicturesExhibitions Artists |
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Achernar 10.February - 2.April 2006 From the series, "Children of the Earth - A celebration" I was introduced to this family by the midwife who was present for the deliveries of most of the ten children. (With only postal communication, some just "arrived" before the message got through) In the 21st century in New Zealand it is difficult to grasp that some people choose to live without the clutter of fridges, washing machines, televisions, telephones, computers, iPod's and all the trappings of consumer-driven modernity. As a country of pioneers, alternative lifestyle experiments have always existed in New Zealand. Ian Baker's photographic documentation* of communes shared some of that optimism for building an alternative society. However, few of this generation share in the radical social rethink that took place in the late 1960's. I liken this families life-choice to that of early 19th century homesteaders in this country. A cow, some chickens, a few goats, land, a few rudimentary materials and the need to make it work. Battered 4WD's have replaced horses and mules. This low technology, low impact lifestyle has resulted in children that have hardly ever needed to see a doctor or dentist. They understand the natural world and its cycles of birth and death, can hunt, forage and take pleasure in a world where there is no distinction between play and learning. Inevitably, women emerge as the cohesive element that holds such a social unit together. The man hunts, repairs, builds and provides, but the woman cooks, clothes, preserves, educates, washes, organises, and creates. The result is material independence that only a few are privileged to experience. Heroically, like early pioneers, this has been achieved without
Paula and Rangi Whilst this small selection of images focuses on the children and their surroundings, I would ask the viewer to project themselves into this environment, beyond the romantic veneer that is part of photography's charm, to the realities of everyday survival without the conveniences most of us take for granted. This project has been undertaken with a Unitec, New Zealand research grant. I am grateful to Netropolitan Ltd for the supply of Imacon/Hasselblad scanners. * Jones T., Baker I. (1975) A Hard-Won Freedom, Hodder & Stoughton, Auckland. ISBN: 0 340 20406
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Sophie (9) wants to become a photographer and uses her Olympus Trip to continue to photograph her family. |
John Malcolm 30. Untitled #1 Price: $625 |
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John Malcolm 31. Untitled #2 Price: $625 |
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John Malcolm 32. Untitled #3 Price: $625 |
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John Malcolm 33. Untitled #4 Price: $625 |
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John Malcolm 34. Untitled #5 Price: $625 |
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John Malcolm 35. Untitled #6 Price: $625 |
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John Malcolm 36. Untitled #7 Price: $625 |
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