Beyond the studio by the MAPgroup

Dancer Edna Reinhardt. © Brian Carr.
Dancer Edna Reinhardt. © Brian Carr.

MAPgroup has been working on an exciting new project, Beyond the studio – a collection of over 90 portraits of the artists of Castlemaine, captured by 18 documentary photographers in the MAPgroup (Many Australian Photographers Group). The images will feature throughout the town's walls as large-scale, black-and-white paste-ups. The exhibition is part of the Open Studios program which is a component of the Castlemaine State Festival.

Sculptor Lyn Edey. © Naomi Herzog.
Sculptor Lyn Edey. © Naomi Herzog.

The innovative exhibition transforms the streets using large-scale paste-up portraits which provide a snapshot into the amazing diversity of the artists of Castlemaine. Paste-ups are a form of street art where images are printed onto paper and pasted directly onto walls and buildings, resulting in an accessible way for people to experience artwork.

With over 90 local artists, spanning diverse mediums including painting, installation, printmaking, writing, dance, music, and circus performance, the project only just manages to scratch the surface and is the first installment of an ongoing series documenting Castlemaine’s artists.

Ceramicist Phil Elson. © Jaime Murcia.
Ceramicist Phil Elson. © Jaime Murcia.

MAPgroup will install the large-scale, black-and-white photographs as 1.8 metre panels throughout the town. The work marks the quickest route between the town’s two key performance spaces, from Mostyn Street near the Castlemaine State Festival Hub at Theatre Royal to the Phee Broadway Theatre on Mechanics Lane as well as further exhibition sites at The Mill and Lot 19.

Images will be on display at the following locations: Mechanics Lane, Bendigo Bank, Frederick Street including the Town Hall, The Mill, Lot 19.

Furniture maker Hugh Makin. © Jaime Murcia.
Furniture maker Hugh Makin. © Jaime Murcia.
Painter Jenny Rodgerson. © Krystal Seigerman.
Painter Jenny Rodgerson. © Krystal Seigerman.
Printmaker Clayton Tremlett. © Tobias Titz.
Printmaker Clayton Tremlett. © Tobias Titz.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

August

Sydney: The photographs in Max Dupain: Student Life were taken at the University of Sydney in the early 1950s, a period of rapid change marked by the politics of the Cold War.

September

Canberra: This collection-in-focus display highlights William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003.

October

Brisbane: Mikaela spent time looking through Graham’s archive of negatives, though it was his social documentary images that she constantly returned to, especially as there were so many compelling photographs that had never been printed.

Brisbane: Until 13 July 2025. Amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954) extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered only recently. This exhibition is curated by seven Brisbane photographers.

November

Sydney: Chrissie Hall specialises in advertising, fashion, portraiture and social documentary. Join Chrissie for her 2nd book launch and exhibition at Lunar Studios in Alexandria on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Sydney: 23–25 November. Three Edge Studio is very proud to present 21 outstanding emerging and experienced Australian photographers at the M2 Gallery in Surry Hills.

Perth: Until 18 May 2025. Henry Roy – Impossible Island draws on 40-years of recollections and observations as it brings together 113 photos taken from 1983 to 2023.

Brisbane: The Photo Fair #2 is a community event to sell, swap, and showcase photographic works on November 30 and December 1, 2024. 10am - 4pm

Melbourne: 30/11– 15/12. Focal/Vocal showcases the photographic talents of 7 graduates who use the medium of photography for the exploration of the human condition.

December

Sydney: ...as they were. A 'one day only' Street Photography exhibition by Chad Lippert. Held in a St Peters photo studio from 11am - 4pm on 15 December.