Georgia METAXAS: lower your ears

Exhibition Dates: 12 October – 02 December 2007 Opening: 3.00pm Sunday 14 October, 2007

Utilizing the conventions of portraiture, and evoking the aesthetic of early documentary photography, Metaxas has turned the humble haircut into a poignant moment of reflection.

Metaxas’ images of hairdressing clearly belong to this documentary tradition of photography,with their full-frontal perspective and the absence of any embellishment or interpretation. Capturing portraits of the sitters before, during and after the event, she records each individual’s transformation in a straightforward way.

Metaxas says:”The simple act of having a haircut makes you feel better about yourself and how you appear to others. I found the transformation of the sitters as it revealed itself to me a fascinating one. By documenting this process, I aim to cast the viewers gaze back to these individuals, unflinchingly, but not without empathy.”

Working in a social documentary context over several years, Metaxas is known for her work on issues of identity and belonging. Although these themes are still integral to her work, a recent shift has found her exploring a broader notion of ritual, examining the more universal aspects of life. The haircuts are in keeping with this and allow the transformation of the simple haircut into a dramatic event.

Monash Gallery of Art 860 Ferntree Gully Road Wheelers Hill Victoria 3150 T: +61 3 9562 1569 M: 0411 964 382 F: +61 3 9562 2433 E: markh@monash.vic.gov.au W: www.mga.org.au

Gallery, gift shop, licensed cafe and sculpture park Tue-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun: 12pm-5pm, Mon and public holidays: closed