26/04/2013
TO BATHE
Photojournalist Nigel Brennan and Creative Producer Alanna Hankey hold exclusive exhibition.
Capturing the colour, chaos and devotion of Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious
gathering, Bundaberg photojournalist Nigel Brennan and his partner, Brisbane-based
creative producer Alanna Hankey will hold a one-off exhibition of their
photographs at Brisbane Powerhouse on May 24.
To Bathe will showcase 30 powerful images from the 2013 Kumbh Mela festival, with half of the profits from the sale of the limited edition prints going to Maiti Nepal, a non-profit organization committed to preventing s*x trafficking and rescuing woman and girls from brothels.
Held every 12 years in Allahabad, India, Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindi pilgrimage, attracting millions of worshipers who gather to bathe in a sacred river. The festival was held in early 2013 and estimated to have had up to 120 million people attend, who traveled from across the world to bathe in the Ganges.
Capturing Kumbh Mela’s ambiance, beauty and sheer size, Nigel and Alanna’s photographs from the 2013 gathering include poignant scenes of bathing and worship, portraits of gurus, pilgrims and families and colorful images of celebration.
The duo say they have a deep love, respect and admiration for India and its people, and plan to return to the country in 2014.
Bios.
Nigel Brennan:
Nigel, a highly regarded photojournalist and author, has worked with APN News and Media, Penguin Books Australia, Australian Photojournalist Magazine, Map Magazine, Open Road, Big Issue and Candy Media. Nigel was selected as a finalist in the Leica Documentary Awards and the National Photographic Portrait Prize. His photographs are held in galleries and private collections around Australia.
To Bathe is Brennan’s first foray back into photojournalism, after being released in November 2009 from a 462-day hostage ordeal in Somalia.
Nigel currently works as a freelance photojournalist, crisis emergency management consultant and inspirational speaker.
Alanna Hankey:
Alanna has worked as a Creative Producer, Festival Director and artist in Australia and New York. Events and organisations she has worked with include New York Fashion Week, New York performance and art space Littlefield, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Festival, Backbone Youth Arts and Melbourne’s Strut & Fret Production House.
Inspired by love, freedom, peace and exploration, To Bathe is Alanna’s first venture into professional photography.
Details:
Friday, May 24 2013, 6pm-9pm.
Free Entry.
Turbine Studio, Brisbane Powerhouse, Lamington Street, New Farm.
Limited edition prints for sale on metallic archival paper.
Donations and half of the profits from the sale of prints will be donated to Maiti Nepal. http://www.maitinepal.org/
For information on the 2013 Kumbh Mela Festival, click here. http://kumbhmelaallahabad.gov.in/english/index.html
Facebook Event Details, click here.
http://www.facebook.com/events/343715445751375/?fref=ts
Bishworam Khadka, the Director of Maiti Nepal addressing the awareness program organized at Jiri, Dolakha( a remote district) on the occasion of 6th National Anti-trafficking day
