Long Exposure of Memory - Heather Petty

For the past 7 years Heather Petty has returned to her birthplace at Wudinna on SA’s Eyre Peninsula to document the beauty of ruins, light and decay of seven buildings previously lived in by people she knows.

Her camera captures landscapes through window frames, geometric light harshly contrasting on greying dirty floorboards, clothes spilling out of suitcases, children’s artwork abandoned revealing a passage of time, and stories embedded in semi-forgotten places.

The abandoned places resonate with the local people as they draw upon their memories, share enthusiastically their stories and express shock at the more confronting images.

Heather Petty draws on inspiration from the work of Canadian photographer David McMillan, noted for documenting Chernobyl over 2 decades. Some of her photographs are confronting and speak to our unconscious fears of chaos and loss reminiscent of the ongoing destruction of the Ukraine today.

Heather’s camera not only captures the aesthetic allure of decay but also represents entropy and how everything we value is just a mere speck in time.

Heather's exhibition will be on display for an extended period to accommodate our new opening dates over the Christmas period, when we are usually closed for a break.

You may also like the following events from Naracoorte Art Gallery:

• This Saturday, 11th October, 12:00 am, Silk Scarf Painting with Helen Santangelo in Millicent
• This Saturday, 11th October, 04:00 am, Nuno Felting with Helen Santangelo - Saturday afternoon in Millicent
• This Sunday, 12th October, 12:00 am, Nuno Felting with Helen Santangelo - Sunday morning in Millicent

Also check out other Exhibitions in Millicent.