Open Lecture: Effy Alexakis, Documentary Photographer: In Her Own Image

Location: Mezanine Level, The Greek Centre, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 
Date: THURSDAY 24/5/2018 @ 7:00pm
Presenter: Leonard Janiszewski

Language of Presentation: English | R.M.L.G.*: 0 (No knowledge of Greek Required).
Entry: FREE

Cover Image Credit: Mosaic of photographic portraits of Greek-Australians. Photos by Effy Alexakis, from the ‘In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians’ National Project Archives, Macquarie University, Sydney

Synopsis

Since the early 1980s, Effy Alexakis’ photographic work has been quite diverse, ranging from commercial photo shoots in a studio or location, to specialist site photography on archaeological digs in Egypt. Her personal passion though has been the photographic documentation of Australia’s historical and contemporary Greek presence.

Renowned photographic critic Robert McFarlane, has applauded her images of Greek-Australians, highlighting that “there is a consistent humanity in Alexakis’ photographs, coupled to outstanding craft. Her photographs are never of the subject merely placed against an appropriate background. Quality of light appears crucially important to this photographer, as is the body language of her subjects… There is also a little of the great Magnum photographer Constantine Manos in her capacity to embrace the Greekness of herself and her subjects. Manos struggled and ultimately succeeded in coming to terms with his ancestry in his book A Greek Portfolio. Alexakis ploughs a similar field with equal dignity.”

This lecture will provide an overview of Alexakis’ work, through her influences, socio-political outlook and the major themes she has pursued, evidencing her rise and development as a significant Australian social documentary photographer of Greek heritage.

NOTE: Alexakis & Janiszewski will have two of their books available at this presentation:
1. Greek Cafés & Milk Bars of Australia, Halstead Press, 2016, and
2. In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians, Hale & Iremonger, 1998

Bio

Documentary photographer, Effy Alexakis, and historian, Leonard Janiszewski, have been researching the Greek-Australian historical and contemporary presence in both Australia and Greece since 1982. Their project and archives, In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians, encompasses visual, oral and literary material and is based at Macquarie University, Sydney. Their archive is one of the most significant collections in the country on Greek-Australians.

Various national and international touring exhibitions, three major books, over 200 book chapters, articles, conference papers, and three film documentaries have been produced. Of their exhibitions, the most pronounced have been ‘In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians’ and ‘Selling and American Dream: Australia’s Greek Café’. The former was created in partnership with the State Library of NSW and toured throughout Australia as well as Athens and Thessaloniki in Greece; in Athens it was part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Cultural Festival, ‘Reaching the World’ and in Thessaloniki it was invited as the Australian component of the City’s ‘Cultural Capital of Europe 1997’ program. The latter opened at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, in 2008, and is still touring.

Alexakis’ photographs are held in both public and private collections in Australia – most significantly in the Australian National Gallery, Canberra, and the State Library of NSW, Sydney. She currently works as a freelance photographer after completing 25 years service as Senior Photographer with Macquarie University. Alexakis has been ranked in the top ten portrait photographers in Australia. In 2001 Janiszewski was awarded the New South Wales History Fellowship to research a history of the ‘Greek café’. Both Alexakis and Janiszewski are Research Fellows with the Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University. Janiszewski is also a Curator with the Macquarie University Art Gallery. Alexakis and Janiszewski have served on numerous history and arts committees.

Sponsors

We thank this lecture's donor: Ithacan Philanthropic Society.

During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice. 

You too can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne. Please email: info@greekcommunity.com.au or call 03 9662 2722.

We also thank the following corporate sponsors: