Kieran Whelan
Over the years I've owned various makes of 35mm film cameras, rangefinders & SLR’s and set up a home darkroom. I have a keen interest in art & design, particularly abstract expressionist painters like Rothko, Albers & Mondrian and Art Deco architecture & design. Photographers who appeal me include Shore, Leiter, Helmer-Petersen & Herzog and the enduring influences from American photographers of the 1970’s school of New Topographics.
An Orchard of People
Back in January I began to photograph the work of the gardeners in our local community garden in Bayside. Before 2019 the space was unloved and unused. Now, after a lot of time and effort from the team, Bayside has a very beautiful communal green space. To go along with their portraits I asked each of the gardeners to write down their personal thoughts on what the 'Orchard Garden' means to them. Nine portrait images and accompanying texts form the basis of my project submission.
Bayside Orchard Garden
The Garden came about from the concern of a group of likeminded neighbours who wanted to make use of a communal space hidden away between the houses and laneways in Bayside. The vegetables, herbs and fruit grown are available to all to take. Every Saturday I would spend a couple of hours in the Garden; making new friends, chatting, and enjoying tea and homemade cake...and taking photographs as well. This project would not have been possible without the friendship and hospitality shown to me by everyone. Thank you everyone!