Indigenous Australian Photographer Visits Charlottesville for ‘LOOKbetween’

a burnt cross in a frame

James Tylor, the missionaries bright spot, 2013, becuerel daguerrotype

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia will host artist James Tylor, an Australian photographer specializing in 19th-century photographic techniques, in June. His visit will provide several opportunities to meet the artist and hear about his culture and art practice.

Of Aboriginal, European and Maori descent, Tylor uses daguerreotype and wet plate photographic processes to explore complex issues of identity and cultural representation. His investigations of Australia’s colonial past and his own heritage have prompted Tylor to fabricate objects and settings that become the subjects of his photographs.

“I try to highlight the less-talked-about parts of Australia's history in my photography, such as the conflict between early European settlers and the Aboriginal Australians, as well as the impact that colonization has had on Australia and its first people,” he said.

The Kluge-Ruhe Collection will bring Tylor to Charlottesville to participate in LOOKbetween, an immersive mentorship program for emerging and early-career photographers from around the world. An anchor event of the LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph, LOOKbetween provides a forum for in-depth exploration of photographic practice through presentations, discussions, collaborative projects and collegial critique.

During his stay, Tylor will give two talks about his art, one at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection and one co-sponsored by the Camera Heritage Museum at the Staunton Public Library.

A full schedule of Tylor’s public activities is listed below.

  • June 12, 7 p.m., Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, 400 Worrell Drive, Peter Jefferson Place. Tylor will discuss his work followed by a reception. This program is free but reservations are required; call 434-244-0234 or email kluge-ruhe@virginia.edu.
  • June 13 and 14, 8:30 p.m. Tylor and other artists participating in LOOKbetween will present projections of their work at the pastoral Deep Rock Farm in White Hall, near Crozet. Purchase tickets for either date, or a package including round-trip transportation from Charlottesville and dinner, at the LOOKbetween website.
  • June 17, 7 p.m. Tylor will provide an artist talk at the Staunton Public Library (1 Churchill Avenue in Staunton), co-sponsored by the Camera Heritage Museum. The program is free and open to the public.

Media Contact

Robert Hull

Office of University Communications