Exhibition puts locals in new light

"I wanted to capture the character of each of my models and display them in a new and creative way," says Sue Morton, of her upcoming exhibition 'Portraits and Portrayals' at the Percy Thomson Gallery.

Sue says its exciting and "a little scary" to be exhibiting her work at the Percy Thomson Gallery, where Sue previously held the position of director. "While it is very fitting for my work to hang there, it is rather daunting being on the other side."

'Portraits and Portrayals' combines Sue's life-long love of painting with her new passion for photography. The exhibition displays a range of well-known Taranaki people in a new light. In selecting subjects to photograph, Sue says she sought out not only well known faces in the community "but people who weren't so well-known who deserve recognition for what they have achieved".

Sue says the key theme of the series is to show something from each of the models "behind the scenes" life, as well as incorporating a hint as to what they are recognised for.

Sue adds she was overwhelmed by the trust her models placed in her, "they were all wonderful to work with and really let me into their lives".

Sue, who recently completed a diploma in photography, put the exhibition together as her final assessment. "While I chose to complete my exhibition assessment as part of an online gallery, I continued my work and have now finished all 21 pieces to display."

Sue says she was inspired throughout her study by the use of Photoshop.

It is incredible how you can manipulate an image and create something brand new.

Sue Morton, Artist

She adds that she was also influenced by the style of US photographic artist Maggie Taylor. "Maggie's whimsical approach as an 'image magician' appealed to my crazy sense of the ridiculous."

After her graduation in December Sue has plans to start teaching photography classes in Stratford, "I have really taken to photography and I want to see how far I can go with it".

Sue's advice for other aspiring photographers, "keep taking photos, no matter what just keep going", adding that she believes in the words of famous French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. "The first 10,000 photographs are your worst."

Sue's 'Portraits and Portrayals' will open in the community gallery at the Percy Thomson Gallery on Friday, September 18.