MAURICE JOHNSON
FITZROY LIBRARY EXHIBITION SPACE
9 February - 4 April 2008
Insight
Digital photographs on archival paper


Agapanthus Birth - digital photography, 50 x 38 cm (2007)

In Maurice’s 20 photographic works, many of his subjects were close-up flower studies, birds, and architectural and sculptural forms. Phalaenopsis Exotica, and Phalaenopsis Abstraction, each focused on a single flower head, showing the unusual forms of petals and stamens. In Agapanthus Birth, a single stem with two flower buds curved downwards, crook-like, a simple yet powerful image. Zoom In and Barefoot Skier were splendid action shots respectively of a pelican landing on water and a seagull preparing to land. Supreme viewed a peacock on an angle, emphasising the pattern created by the spread tail feathers.

A beautifully rusted sculptural form in Modern Garden contrasted with water and grasses, complimented by blocky cement shapes. In Stairway to Heaven, the sharp, spire-like roof of a building showed stark against the sky. Tunnel Vision was taken from a riverbank under a bridge, looking down the length of the supports and the pattern they formed of repeated shapes, and shadows on the water. Creatively titled Spider Gear showed another beautifully rusted form, a long disused cog with the fine white lacing of a spider’s web.


Flower Ballet - digital photography, 38 x 50cms (2005)

In another close-up study titled Soft Landing, a tiny dragonfly perched on someone’s thumb, the image so close and clear that one could see the barbs on its legs and “feet.” In his work, Maurice seeks out unusual views of his subjects, views, he says, “that might be missed by the casual observer. Rather than photograph from the car park, vehicles passing over the bridge, I would prefer to climb down under the bridge and achieve an unusual aspect. New angles and different lighting are a constant challenge as one addresses the composition elements to feature the nature of the photographic subject.” I enjoyed his viewpoints, and the quality of his work.

Review by Cressida Fox