Illuminated by Fire

Illuminated by Fire – Maldon is the culmination of Deanna Neville's participatory photography work with members of the Maldon Group Fire Brigade. The members were taught to brush up their camera skills and a selection of their photos and stories about the brigade members were displayed in the Marquee Gallery, atop Mt Tarrangower at the Fire Tower. Mt Tarrangower is a spectacular site from magnificent views can be seen in every direction. The brigade trucks and volunteer fire fighters of Maldon, Baringhup, Walmer were also ‘on show’ in a sea of colour.

The event also included the sounds from the Maldon Brass band, a sausage sizzle served by the Brigade Development Team and fine wines from the region served by the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre Men’s Cooking Group.

As the night fell, audiences were treated to the unveiling of 4 enormous photographic portraits of local firefighters, illuminated in the night sky. These banners which were hung from the fire tower honour the men and women of the Maldon Group Fire Brigade.

The project launched Saturday November 6 at 7.00pm at the Maldon Fire Tower, Mount Tarrangower.

During installation week in Melbourne, the 4 enourmous banners were displayed on the main stage of Federation Square, and a fifth was unveiled by brigade members in the BMW Edge as part of Day and Night tours. See the program here: Maldon program

Get updates via the Illuminated By Fire RSS

Deanna Neville is based in Castlemaine and has been a practising photographer for more than 25 years. Following her first stint overseas, where she took some of her finest photos, Deanna took up a position with RMIT Textiles teaching photography in their Diploma of Arts course.

Maldon by Deanna Neville

After the fanfare: some lasting reflections

27th July 2011

In Arts, Community, Emergency, Story Telling, Victorian Bushfires

Deanna Neville, participating artist in the two-year residency with Regional Arts Victoria Illuminated by Fire project, has dismantled her four-metre high photographs of local fire fighters after involvement in the two-year community arts residency.

"But not for long", says Deanna. "The photos are still intact for a week-long display at the SAFE Emergency Services schools program, to be held early September in Bendigo.

"Thanks to our Education Officer, Michael Grimes, the photos will be displayed alongside classrooms dedicated to all the emergency services programs that help educate and inform kids about community safety. So the photos will have another great audience to enjoy the stories and messages of the project, that is, that fire fighters are men, women, older, younger, families, friends, new-chums or retirees. They are people like you. And people like me".

Deanna is also looking to explore some funding for touring the collection to other regional areas for display in the various galleries, some of which occupy old fire stations, so the height of the rooms should easily accomodate these great works!

"A big thank-you to all who helped make this project happen. Many are used to the expressions of thanks as fire-fighters but as photographers? And subjects? probably less so! So thanks for trusting me with your stories and the great images we've made together. Probably won't be the last time we see cameras and fire hoses in the same place!"

IBF Maldon - Peter Thompson with Deanna

No comments have been left yet on this post. Be the first!

Illuminated by Fire