Neighbours on the Boundary Exhibition

This exhibition celebrates Neighbour Day 2017 on 26th March. It features people for whom Boundary Street is a neighbourhood of life, work, relaxation, shopping , celebration, and friendships. 

Boundary Street is a neighbourhood that embraces diversity. Shopfronts tell stories of the old and new cultures that have made a home here. Private homes and public space sit side by side. Street signs tell the histo ry of a colonial presence on ancient land of the Jagera and Turrbal peoples 

This exhibition is running conjunction with an online exhibition

Tony Robertson is a Brisbane photographer whose works in the tradition of social documentary and storytelling. His folio of images includes, political rallies, cultural celebrations and memorials for bereaved communities.

October 2016 Collection

Welcome Fest 2016

How can photography add to welcome for new and emerging communities in our suburbs? My work and passion take me into festivals, community celebratiosn, religious gatherings and cultural opportunities that allow me to capture faces of diversity. 

The publication and sharing of these images is an important project that puts cultural diversity in the public square. The highlight of today's Welcome Fest was the exchamge of greetings and gifts between the First Nations Elders and Leaders. from New Communities in Brisbane.

#welcomefest #welcomefest2016 #mda #refugees

Brisbane Open House 2016

I love the opportunity to explore our public and private buildings durng this "Open House" weekend. One of the features of St John's Anglican Cathedral is that itis still being completed so each visit unveils a new aspect of the building. By strange conincidence this year both the Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals were wrapped in scaffolding. This provided another persective beyond the neat tourist shots of clean lines and neat landscapes. 

The other aspect of religious buildings that makes them fascinating for events like this is that they are living spaces with life happening around and within. On Saturday for example there were two wedding groups at the Cathedral of St Stepehn that provided some colour and pazzaz to my images. 

#brisbaneopenhouse #brisbaneopenhouse2016 http://brisbaneopenhouse.com.au/ 

My Images from 2011 brisbane Open House 

Walk Together

We Walk Together for those who are unable to walk freely from detention centres.
We Walk Together for those whose journey to freedom has been thwarted by cruelty and injustice.
We Walk Together for people seekiing refuge and asylum who have been demonised and betrayed.
We Walk Together to confront the political inertia that leaves people languishing in detention centres.
We are the faces of compassion and welcome.
We are the voices of justice and human dignity
We are the community of welcome and acceptance.

https://www.welcometoaustralia.org.au/walk-together-2016/

#walktogether #walktogetherbrisbane #welcomerefugees #sanctuary#letthenstay #lovemakesaway #amovementoftheheart #welcometoaustralia

The Kurilpa Derby West End

Since 2007 the West End Community have gathered under the Dornoch Bridge in Boundary Steet to race into the main strip of the suburb on wheels of every description.

The Kurilpa Derby began as the Whellchair Derby inspired and led by the late Aunty Malinjarli Dillon. In the weeks leading up to the 2016 Kurilpa Derby West End's beloved "Aunty" passed away.

By way of acknowledgement and respect members of Aunty Malinjarli's family and friends led the parade this year carrying a favourite portrait.

These images capture the colour, the creativity and the people who bring life, colour and community to West End.

#kurilpaderby #westend #kuripaderby2016

The First Kurilpa Derby 2007: 

Built In, Built Out Exhibition

Tempo Caffe Bar
181A Boundary Street, Brisbane, 

This is a collaboration with Rob Crapnell featuring two very different perspectives on Brisbane cityscapes.

This exhibition showcases my images of the city reflected in glass towers. A feature of this collection is a set that presents gothic heritage of St John's and St. Stephen's Cathedrals in a very different view.

My thanks to Michelle Bowden and Warrior Women for their support and the invitation to exhibit. 

Exhibition opened 8th of October and continues to the 4th of November.

Meet the photographer events

Saturday 15 October 8.30am-9.30am
Monday 17 October 12.00pm-1.00pm
Wednesday 19 October 8.30am-9.30am
Friday 21 October 12.00pm-1.00pm
Saturday 22 October 12.00pm-2.00pm

Jane Street Community Garden

Clancestry 2015

Clancestry, a Celebration of Country is an annual week-long festival celebrating the arts and cultural practices of the world’s First Nations Peoples, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

The festival draws on rich spiritual culture and provides a space to learn about, and connect with, clan groups across the country and the globe. In presenting performances, workshops, free events and conversations, the festival celebrates a diverse and stimulating mix of the traditional and contemporary.

Since the inaugural festival in 2013, Clancestry has become one of QPAC’s signature annual events, recognised for its collaboration and interactions between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, artists, industry and the public.

Some of the guest curators this year are friends I have known through  work with First Nations peoples. Fred Havea Bulanyi Leone Dame-Nadine McDonald-DowdNancy Bamaga

Clancestry 2015 Saturday 5th December

Yawar Sunday 6th December

Images: Kurilpa Celebrates

The Kurilpa Celebrates Album

October 2014

Brisbane has been my home now for 22 years. It has been my home city for the longest continual period in my life. And in that time West End and South Brisbane on the Kurilpa Peninsula have been my home, workplace and preferred social venues.

My camera travels with me capturing friends, neighbours and life among the people who make up my community.

Today was something of an extraordinary opportunity to spend time atSanity Fair 2014 Brisbane Open House and West End Festival.

I am aware of the power of image and the duty of care I have as a photographer in recording people and their lives. I am also humbled by those who request as well as those who pose for my images or allow me to capture them.

This is a wonderful album of the Kurilpa Community engaging and celebrating. Please add comments, tag and join the storytelling

Photography for M-YES

http://www.m-yes.org/

Really honoured to see one of my photos used to promote a project that I support. M-YES is an exciting and innovative program providing pathways for young people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

West End Faces

Residents, workers, visitors, musicians, shoppers, activists, stirrers, coppers,

Walking, talking, spruiking, chalking,laughing, calling,singing, dancing,running

Sitting, watching, staring,wondering,writing, drawing,protesting

First Peoples, Citizens, Politicians,Refugees,Irish, Lebanese,Greek,Italian,Vietnamese,Chinese, Afghan, Ethiopian

Tall, short, light, heavy, skateboards, wheelchairs,cars, bikes, wings!!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are advised that these images may include deceased people. They are published with deep respect and in honour of Elders, Keepers of the Dreamtime.

Visit the West End faces Album here

Brisbane Sovereign Tent Embassy Images 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that this collection includes images of deceased members of the First Nations peoples. These images are included as an act of respect for those who have carried the dreaming, fought the battles and left a legacy to inspire a new generation.

On the Land of the Nation gathered
The Elders of the Nation 
The Youth of the Nation 
The Children of the Nation.
The People of the Nation 
The Visitors to the Nation

Tony Robertson Community Photographer

Images from Brisbane Sovereign Tent Embassy 2012

Kurilpa Derby September 2013

This month's featured images are from the Kurilpa Derby in West End Brisbane. Each year since 2008 the  locals have raced down the hill of Boundary Street West End in wheelchairs, roller blades, bikes, scooters, baths beds and any other design possible on wheels.

The race finishes in the commercial stretch of the street with a festival of races including the Squid relay.

You can see this year's images here

July 2013 NAIDOC Week

Troy Allen Brisbane Qld

This month I will feature images I captured in Brisbane during NAIDOC Week 2013

Musgrave Park Family Fun Day July 12

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mass July 14