TRAVELLERS' TALES
SUZANNE GREGORY, ALFRED GREGORY: Photographic images from around the world including First Ascent of Everest 1953 and Blackpool in the Swinging 60s
Blackpool, 1960s
Visitors to Falkner Gallery may recall seeing two stunning exhibitions by photographer Alfred Gregory: in 2003 [to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The First Assault of Mt Everest] and in 2004 [Blackpool in the 1960s and ‘70s].
An experienced and accomplished climber, Alfred was a member of the British Everest expedition team led by John Hunt. He reached 28,000ft [8,500 metres] in support of the successful Edmund Hillary/Tenzing Norgay assault on the summit and was responsible for the expedition stills photography.
His stunning and evocative photographs have become part of history and are known throughout the world not only as factual documentaries but also for their outstanding technical and aesthetic qualities. Some photographs are literal and descriptive; others are abstract and poetic. All are awe-inspiring, dramatic and beautiful.
Many exhibitions were held throughout the world to commemorate the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the momentous achievement including at Falkner Gallery in 2003.
After Everest, Alfred returned to the seaside holiday town Blackpool, to create a remarkable photographic social documentary of the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibition ‘Blackpool in the ‘60s and ‘70s’ was held at Falkner in 2004 and visitors were captivated by the nostalgic and amusing glimpses of that bygone era.
Over subsequent years, Alfred and his wife Suzanne, also a professional photographer of extraordinary skill and sensitivity, captured the cultural and historic riches of countries across the globe with their cameras.
Sadly, Alfred died last year aged 97, after an inspiring career of mountaineering, exploring, photographing and exhibiting.
To honour his memory, and to acknowledge his lifetime’s achievements, a survey of his Everest and Blackpool photographs will be shown at Falkner Gallery and at the Ballarat Foto Biennale.
The main exhibition at Falkner Gallery, 18 August - 2 October, is entitled ‘Travellers’ Tales’ and surveys Suzanne Gregory’s achievements travelling with Alfred.
Her stunning photographs describe a variety of locations, cultures and moods in an exotic and contrasting world.
Suzanne will be present Saturday 20 August 2 – 4pm to chat about her works as well as her life of adventure and fame with Alfred.
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