Sunday, May 28, 2017

Thank you Prague for the Charles Bridge & Hello Sydney + Art.

A few days before we were due to leave Prague one of my art school buddies whom I used to spend a lot of time doing night shots with (on film..) suggested via Facebook that I do some night shots of Prague. Of course, what a beautiful classic and romantic idea! Why didn't I think of that? So the very next morning before the crack of dawn. I was out the door, onto the lamp post lit cobbled streets of Prague heading for the Charles Bridge. And the the lights went out - remember that night in Brisbane, Allan, Megan... Well at least I knew it was lights off at 5.38AM. I still had two chances to make my morning/night bridge shot happen. Next day - oops slept in - or no alarm.. leaving me with just ONE FINAL CHANCE! Can he do it? Well yes and well no; but at least I made it onto the bridge with the lights still on, shooting-pictures all the way. And the minute I put the camera on the tripod and readied for the BIG SHOT! Megan, Allan, do you remember that night in Brisbane.. just as I squeezed the cable release on the camera and the lights went out. Déjà vu!!! Well I certainly wasn't happy. So I grabbed some time exposure shots (no street lights) and felt I needed something more. With much better timing than myself, along walks a lovely young woman whom I just know is Street Fashion Sydney Prague. So here it is, my last street fashion portrait from Prague taken at 5:51 AM on my last morning there. Thank you everyone who stood for my camera, I appreciate your kindness more than you will ever know.
A young red haired woman on the Charles Bridge, Prague at 5:51AM wearing black suede ankle boots and jacket with blue jeans and apricot floral scarf. Street Fashion Sydney - Prague, photographed by Kent Johnson.
And yes I did get some night shots - most of my pictures will be going up (much larger than here) on my Flickr here https://www.flickr.com/photos/kentjohnson/ or follow on Facebook for updates including those night shots!

Meanwhile back in Sydney..
Some great painting and a fabulous last Hurrah from the legendary Stills photography gallery which after 25 years is closing - still at the top of their game - at the end of June. Read On for more.
Curator and former Co-Director Sandy Edwards - Final show at Stills Gallery. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Curator and former Co-Director Sandy Edwards - Final show at Stills Gallery. 

Exhibition panorama and art crowd - Final show at Stills Gallery. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Art patrons - Final show at Stills Gallery. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Jon Lewis, exhibititor - Final show at Stills Gallery. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Jon Lewis  - Final show at Stills Gallery

Melita Dahl exhibitor - Final show at Stills Gallery. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Melita Dahl - Final show at Stills Gallery
I know I tend to free associate a lot but how strange was it to see an artist for the first time at Watters Gallery just last week who; just so happened to be a huge inspiration for a friend of mine; you guessed it, from art school (which was some time ago I might add). My friend would say to me "Oi kento, you have got to look at this woman's work, Vicki Varvaressos, it's brilliant! Vicki Varvaressos, Vicki Varvaressos, Vicki Varvaressos" Just like that. I think he loved her name as much as her work which is just as brilliant now as it was back then. Go see it for yourself!
Vicki Varvaressos at Watters Gallery, Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Jim Anderson with Vicki Varvaressos at Watters Gallery, Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Jim Anderson with Vicki Varvaressos at Watters Gallery.
Finally, though it didn't really happen in this order, the lovely show by Lucy Culliton at King Street Gallery on William. I know Lucy's work is very popular and it is easy to see why, at least for me. I did overhear someone saying "who would put a picture of a farm animal on their wall". Well let me tell you. Lots of people. And go learn some art history while you are at it! Anyway, clearly they are all portraits and as a city fella it's nice to learn that those animals are all different and have their own personality, great work, head on down and make some new friends. On Now!

Australian parrots painted by Lucy Culliton. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
The Residents of Bibbenluke Lodge.
Lucy Culliton and friends at The Residents of Bibbenluke Lodge exhibition launch.  Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Jeans and tote bags, Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Large heart shape hoop earrings. Grey cable knit and blue jeans. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
The Residents of Bibbenluke Lodge, cattle and sheep. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Detail - The Residents of Bibbenluke Lodge, a small flock of sheep. Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.


Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Art in Sydney - On Now & Just Missed It!

Yes we are back in Sydney; at least for the time being. However I am not finished with Prague just yet so please do excuse the banner for the time being.. But; for now there is a LOT of art to see in Sydney, so here's a quick overview of shows I've seen in the last 10 days along with, you guessed it, some "street fashion" too. Let's kick off with last nights opening at Gallery 9 in Darlinghurst.

Paul Snell photographed at "Chromophilia" at Gallery 9.Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
 Paul Snell above, "Chromophilia" and Tony Lloyd below, "The Distance" I loved Paul's strong colour works including the larger area pieces in the third gallery room. Tony's beautifully executed paintings have a kind of sci-fi quirkiness with the natural beauty of the landscape, and the two shows sit remarkably well together.
Portrait of Tony Lloyd at "The Distance" Gallery 9 Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Tam, suede jacket black jeans and doc martins; art student style. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Red lipstick and a beautiful smile, with a black on black outfit. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Ladies with coats and black pants and a little dog at Gallery 9. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
SNO 132 - Stephen Jones. A retrospective of the legendary electronica video artist and member of experimental band Severed Heads. The show was opened by Ian Milliss followed by some words from Stephen himself. A must-see exhibition chronicling the cutting-edge start of video art and music clips.
Seated, Ian Milliss left with Stephen Jones on the right.

Speeches at SNO 132 with Ian Milliss and Stephen Jones. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Speeches at SNO 132 with Stephen Jones and audience. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Mandala video at SNO 132 by Stephen Jones. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

"Unseen Everyday Japan"; opening, curation and talk by Q Sakamaki at the Japan Foundation. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
"Unseen Everyday Japan"; opening, curation and talk by Q Sakamaki at the Japan Foundation. As part of Head On. Well worth a look, gritty stuff. All images were sourced via a dedicated Instagram group.
Gaffa gallery launch - currently home to a show of three Dutch photography artists and one Scottish photographer. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Gaffa gallery is currently home to a show of three Dutch photography artists and one Scottish photographer. Some pretty terrific work all-round though I was personally very impressed with the close-up "tomboy" portraits of women of all ages, WILDFANG by Lesley Turnbull. Dare I say it; there is something for everyone as at least one artists style will impress anyone who loves photography. The show was opened by the Dutch consulate (above) and is well worth checking out.
Artist Douwe Dijkstra : CITY REFLECTIONS at Gaffa. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Douwe Dijkstra : CITY REFLECTIONS at Gaffa.

INSCAPES artist Astrid Verhoef at Gaffa, Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
INSCAPES by Astrid Verhoef at Gaffa,

Photographer Emmanuel Angelicas  with his printer at Blanco Negro for the opening of "Caprice - Je ne Sais Quoi"  Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
"Caprice - Je ne Sais Quoi" : Well I don't know what that is.. but I do know fine erotica when I see it and Emmanuel Angelicas is a master of his underground fine art erotic art form. The sitter is the perfectly named "Caprice Hunter" and between the two of them they have created a beautiful series of sensual and sexually alluring images. Emmanuel told me that he booked the model online in Perth and flew over to photograph her in just one two hour session, with his new Sony point-and-shoot. Of course all this could be true and it is a fantastic story - so are the pictures. Thanks Emmanuel for the signed limited edition catalogue. Love the show. On now at Blanco Negro.
Photographer Emmanuel Angelicas and artworks at Blanco Negro for the opening of "Caprice - Je ne Sais Quoi"  Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Photographer Emmanuel Angelicas at Blanco Negro for the opening of "Caprice - Je ne Sais Quoi"  Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Vivienne Shui and William Yang at Barometer Gallery. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Speeches with Sarah Ducker and Sandy Edwards at Barometer Galley. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Details. I can't believe that the show I saw almost a year ago of macro photographs of alpine flora and rocks and water and soil and some ice, I mean it was all there.. was her first show! And sold like hot cakes and deservedly so. It was just bloody amazing! So now Sarah Ducker is back at Barometer Galley, this time it's tidal wash on sand. And I think for one, Sarah has done it again. There are no flowers so the pictures are not as pretty? Her sensitivity to the flow of nature however remains undiminished and her skill at choosing just-how-much detail should be accentuated; well this is an artist to watch. On now. Check it out.
Speeches with Sarah Ducker at Barometer Galley. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Shoes and Fishnet stockings at TAP Gallery. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
Now Nyk and I have been great friends for over a decade. (Nyk can you believe it!) All after I contacted him via the Model Mayhem website, not because he was a model, no I saw a local photographer who seemed to know everyone and as I had just returned to photography at the time; I wanted to meet someone I could talk shop to. Beer, Models, Photography. Probably in that order; we have been good friends ever since and so it's great to see a show that celebrates all that - and Nyk's yet another photography award (he does have a lot). Major Rock Stars and Fashion Stars on the runway and affordable prices. On now at TAP Gallery; and what an opening party - Totally Fashion - Nyk. Congratulations yet again!
Women party and pose for the camera at the launch of Nyk Sykes exhibition Show Piece at TAP gallery. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Street style at the Nyk Sykes launch. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Street style, fishnets and feathers at the Nyk Sykes launch. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Nyk speaking at the launch of his show Show Piece at TAP Gallery. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Rod Sainty giving a floor talk about his photographs on opening night M2 gallery. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.
I went along to Rod Sainty's show, and to quote myself "Saw a great 'Boys Own Adventure' exhibition last night. And I say that in the most positive way. Amazing historical architecture pictures shot NOW in Ancient Persia, the cradle of civilisation (correct me if I am wrong). Shot 5x4 on film. Lovely work. On now at M2 gallery. Awesome, and Rod Sainty is minding the show so you can find out ALL you need to know just by dropping by. I'm going" back because I have more questions to ask and want to see more of this real photography!" The show is down but Rod is my Facebook friend so if you are interested drop me a line!
Portrait of Rod Sainty, opening night at M2 gallery. Photographed for Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Friday, May 12, 2017

SFS- Prague Edition - Seeing Gerhard Richter.

A few of the  historic sites in Prague have a no photography policy, quite possibly because the camera flash can cause colours in artworks to breakdown more quickly.. (switch it off people - don't use it). So I was quite pleased to find it was OK to photograph at the Gerhard Richter show at the Kinsky Palace - National Gallery; and so I did, and a few of the people who were also their viewing the show. And as I mentioned in the last post this really is an exhibition worth seeing, if you are in Prague do yourself a favour and go check it out.

Street Fashion Prague; a man wearing a fedora hat and black velvet coat at the Richter retrospective, Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace. Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Gerhard Richter banner, at the Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace.
Spring style in central Europe. An auburn haired woman wearing a tan coat with fur trim collar, matching soft bag black pants and brown loafers.Street Fashion Prague, Richter show at the Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace.
Woman wearing blue jeans with a chunky knit off-white jumper and long khaki scarfe. Street Fashion Prague, Richter show at the Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace.
Woman wearing a blue jeans with a black velvet coat, pink scarf and black beret with stylised flower applique in black and white. Street Fashion Prague.
Woman wearing mid cut fashion runners, skirt and leather jacket photographing a painting. Street Fashion Prague, Richter show at the Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace.
Shadow selfie with artist statement, Gerhard Richter show at the Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace. Photographed by Kent Johnson.
White haired gallery patron in a black parka looking at an abstract paining. Street Fashion Prague, Richter show at the Prague National Gallery, Kinsky Palace.
http://www.prague.eu/national-gallery-in-prague-kinsky-palace
Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Sunday, May 7, 2017

SFS - Prague Edition - Ukraine Style.

Well I don't think this lovely and friendly young woman from the Ukraine is speaking for all her country so you will just have to put the title down to editorial licence on my part. We did however have enough of a chat at the Gerhard Richter retrospective(ish) Kinsky Palace - National Gallery, to learn her nationality and that she loves Richter. So the stripes are by Richter and the Mirrored Stripes are in a mirror artwork which as you can see works just like a regular mirror but has its own description tag and title.. which is something most mirrors certainly don't have outside the sales catalogue; though I'm not really wanting to digress into an art review I somehow seem to have done just that - Richter show review(type thing) soon on SFS  (as I get my 100 gig of files in order). Love the outfit and the bronze high-cut sneakers; when in Prague, be ready to do plenty of walking over uneven cobbled streets - high heels are only for the brave, the strong and very the very experienced! PS, if in Prague, see the show!
A young woman from Ukraine at the Prague National Gallery wearing bronze colour high top sneakers, black skirt, taupe leather jacket with dark tan backpack. Photographed by Kent Johnson in Prague for Street Fashion Sydney.

http://www.prague.eu/national-gallery-in-prague-kinsky-palace
Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Friday, May 5, 2017

SFS - Prague Edition - Dressing for the Grand Tour.

What can I say, this outfit really makes me think of the golden days of the Grand European Tour where you went everywhere and took it all in as part of your coming of age. And Prague would have to have been and still is one of the great and essential destinations. Perfect layering for the rather unpredictable spring weather. Love it! Seen heading for the stairs to Prague Castle.
A woman in a black short sleeve fur jacket, leather gloves, purple skirt and long sleeve top with nude scarf and large black hat. Street Fashion in Prague photographed by Kent Johnson.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

SFS - Pague Edition - Colour Coordinated, Czech Two Three.

Well to be fair I am not really sure this wonderfully colour coordinated young woman is Czech. But lets face it, rhyming off the the old mic/sound check is a fun pun and too good not to use (or let us know your thoughts in the comment section below). Photographed in the Old Town Square - Staroměstské náměstí just adjacent to the oldest working, fancy town hall astronomical clock in the world (maybe the universe - if no one else is out there..) And I reckon nobody says; "meet you near the town hall clock" like they do, probably nearly everywhere.. because most of the time it's the most most, really really crowded part of the square and you will never find anyone there, if you are not with them in close proximity already. Great place to hang out though; to beat the crowds try visiting early!
A young woman in Prague's old Town Square with aqua hair tints, aqua rain jacket and hoodie, faded blue jeans and Reebok runners. Street Fashion Sydney photographed in Prague by Kent Johnson.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

SFS - Prague Edition - An American in Prague.

I love menswear and what better town to wear menswear than Prague! Seen near the St. Nicholas Church in the "Little Quarter" having just attended a grandchild's confirmation service. Love the trench, the touch of Scottish family tradition with the tie and that great boater hat. Just perfect for a Prague Spring.
An Ameriacn gentlemen in Prague wearing a suit and trenchcoat with a tartan tie, collar bar and boater hat. Photographed by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney in Prague.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863