Leisureland is the result of two-and-a-half years’ work by well-known photomedia artist Anne Zahalka. Focusing on theme parks, entertainment centres, shopping arcades, indoor rock climbing gyms, museums, aquariums, video parlours, cinemas, and sporting complexes, these photographs document the artificial nature of these environments and reflect on our fascination with them.
Exhibition Dates: 3 May – 20 May 2000
Leisureland is the result of two-and-a-half years’ work by well-known photomedia artist Anne Zahalka. Her new work investigates the central place of leisure, sport and entertainment within Australian culture through a series of hyper-real photographic images taken from real locations. Focusing on theme parks, entertainment centres, shopping arcades, indoor rock climbing gyms, museums, aquariums, video parlours, cinemas, and sporting complexes, these photographs document the artificial nature of these environments and reflect on our fascination with them.
‘Nature’ and ‘the real world’ are simulated to differing degrees within these constructed spaces, creating an experience for the visitor of being ‘elsewhere,’ both real and unreal. As the visitor moves through, or looks into these illusory worlds, the authenticity of these environments is critical to his or her appreciation and experience of it. The photographs examine our relationship to leisure and provide a record of some of its ritualised forms. Zahalka presents the fantastic diversity of commodified leisure and considers the formidable industry it has become.
Anne Zahalka has, for a number of years, investigated cultural, social and historical imagery through her photographs. These include her re-readings of Australian Impressionist paintings and Dutch interiors; her portraits of Bondi archetypes; and her series of domestic scenes, Open House. Zahalka has shown consistently both in Australia and internationally, with her work held in most major public collections in Australia, as well as New Zealand and the U.S. Recent exhibitions include Journeys in the Dream World at ffotogallery in Cardiff, Wales, and a solo exhibition at Robert Sandelson Gallery, London.
This project has been assisted by the Australia Council from the Visual Arts/Crafts Fund. The exhibition will be shown at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery from 3 – 20 May, and a regional tour will begin at the Manly Art Gallery in August 2000.
Group Show, Head On Photography Festival
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2011
Anne Zahalka Playing the game!
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2009
Anne Zahalka Hotel Suite
Melbourne Art Fair, 2008
Anne Zahalka Leisureland
Australian Embassy, Washington DC, 2007
Anne Zahalka Wild Life
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2007
Anne Zahalka Natural Wonders
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2004
Anne Zahalka Welcome To Sydney
Museum of Sydney, Sydney, 2002
Group Show, The First 20 Years
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2002
Group Show, All Stars
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2000
Anne Zahalka Leisureland
Grafton Regional Gallery, 2000-01
Anne Zahalka Leisureland
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2000
Anne Zahalka Woven threads II
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1998
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1997
Anne Zahalka Collectors
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1996
Group Show, Stockroom
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1995
Anne Zahalka MFA Assessment show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1994
Anne Zahalka Gesture
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1994
Anne Zahalka Fortresses and Frontiers
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1993
Anne Zahalka Bondi: Playground of the Pacific
Bondi Pavilion, Sydney, 1989
- About
- Subscribe
