Anne Zahalka (b. 1957), photographer, studied at East Sydney Technical College and Sydney College of the Arts. She began exhibiting in the early 1980s in Australia and Germany; her solo exhibitions include the touring shows Woven Threads (1997-1998) and Leisureland (1999-2001). In 1990 Leo Christie organised a portfolio of prints by Australian women artists as a fundraiser for the Cancer Council, following the success of a similar initiative he took in 1988. Anne Zahalka photographed each of the artists whose work was included in the portfolio, and the photographs were included in the portfolio as her contribution to it. Zahalka recorded a cross-section of women artists - emerging, senior, indigenous, photographers, painters, printmakers - all of whom played a significant role in the Australian art world of the 1980s. Her photograph of painter Mandy Martin is included in this exhibition.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2002
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Anne Zahalka/Copyright Agency, 2020
Accession number: 2003.13.1
Currently on display: Gallery Five (John Schaeffer Gallery)
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Anne Zahalka (age 33 in 1990)
Leo Christie (10 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Naomi Cass, Director of the Centre of Contemporary Photography, in conversation with Anne Zahalka.
Over the last five years the National Portrait Gallery has developed a collection of portrait photographs that reflects both the strength and diversity of Australian achievement as well as the talents of our photographers.
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