Melanie Cleary by Erdmann Contemporary

melanie cleary

Melanie Cleary worked as a grip in the South African film industry for several years. In 1997 she decided to become a photographer. She is self taught except for the few years during which she assisted, Jac de Villiers, an establsihed commercial photographer. By 2001 Cleary returned to the film industry and is now ranked as one of the top stills photographers in Cape Town. Her debut solo exhibition, The Hero Within came in 2009, earned her critical acclaim and launched her fine art photography career. She lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa.

New Years Day Photographed at Durban North Beach. Cleary visited the area on the last and first day of 2012 and again in 2013. Another Day Cleary produced this series over a period of two years, photographing at four different schools in the Cape region. Family Portraits Early in her career Cleary found her strength in portraiture. She successfully captures a natural response from her subjects. This is a selection of work produced from 2006 to 2014.

Above & Front Cover Image: Beach Crowd I, New Years Day Series, 2013 Black & White Photograph, 100 x 72cm, Edition /5 + 2 A/P

New Years Day Why do people gather in such numbers on the beach on New Years Day? I think the answer lies in four Zulu words; Izonzo, Izibusiso, Uthando and Inhlanla, respectively meaning, sins, blessings, love and good luck. Water has deep ritualistic meaning in Zulu culture, with cleansing and re-birthing properties. Once you have cleansed yourself from the sins and problems of the time now passed, you have prepared yourself to recieve blessings, love and good luck in abundance. Angus McIntosh (Extract from an opening speech June 2012)

Closed water slide, day before New Years Day Series, 2012 Lightjet Print 54 x 81cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

View from above, waterslide New Years Day Series, 2012 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

Empty pool, day before New Years Day Series, 2012 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

View from above, water fountain New Years Day Series, 2012 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

Crowd, view from above, figure with bag New Years Day Series, 2012 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

Crowd, view from above, figure in blue jeans New Years Day Series, 2012 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

Pool Portrait: Baby on Fountain New Years Day Series, 2013 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

Pool Portrait: Young Kids with Goggles New Years Day Series, 2013 Lightjet Print 54 x 81 cm, Edition of /5 + 2 A/P

I have always been interested in capturing the other: those on the fringes of society; the people who would usually be over-looked or ignored, the marginalized. Similarly, I find my projects and inspiration in unexpected moments and places, unsolicited and unplanned. Like the day, I accidentally walked in on a body building competition that resulted in my 2009 series, The Hero Within. Another Day shares a similar genesis; the project found me. This time, inspiration presented itself in the form of undated, black and white contact sheet prints framed and installed in the foyer of one of the oldest special needs childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes in South Africa. I was on a job, commissioned by a client to photograph the building. While looking at the old black and white prints, I immediately knew that I had found my next series.

Another Day It was an inspiration as much as a challenge. Photographing in black and white film presented a departure; it required a different working mode and lacked the convenience and instant gratification of a digital camera. I knew I wanted to interrogate and illustrate the classicism of the medium, it was also essential to capture the personality of each of these children, and reflect their unencumbered youthful spirit. Over a period of two years, I came to know the children. I familiarized myself with the greater environments of the schools and its facilities, and observed how the children interacted with each other and their surroundings. I developed a unique relationship with each of my subjects. In time, my presence at the four schools, became part of their everyday lives. I took my first portrait when it became clear that the novelty of seeing me with a camera had worn off. When it finally, for them, turned out to be just another day.

After Care Boy Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 2014

Grammar Room (Seated) Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 2014

Maths Room Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 2014

Piano Girl Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 - Available print 9/9 2012

Drawing Room (Sitting) Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 2014

Woodwork Room Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 2012

Above: Gymnasium Girl Black & white photograph 35 x 45.5cm Edition / 9 2014

Family Portraits This is an ongoing series which I allowed to develop organically. It started with Anri and Waddy as my first subjects in 2006. I was drawn to their creative energy and performative persona. The opposite applies to the portraits of the children. Their willingness to be photographed is tempered by encouraging a non-performative action. The only constant in this body of work is available light.

Untitled I Colour Photograph 84 x 63 cm Edition / 3 2012

Untitled II Colour Photograph 84 x 63 cm Edition / 3 2012

Untitled III Colour Photograph 84 x 63 cm Edition / 3 2010

Untitled IV Colour Photograph 84 x 63 cm Edition / 3 2006

Untitled V Colour Photograph 84 x 63 cm Edition / 3 2010

Below: Untitled VI Colour Photograph 84 x 63 cm Edition / 3, 2006

Exhibitions Trouble with Memory, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town, South Africa, 2014 Joburg Fringe, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2014 Another Day, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town, South Africa, 2014 Head On Photography Festival, Sydney, Australia, 2013 Melanie Cleary, Gallery Cultural Speech, The Netherlands, 2012/13 Conversations, Queen Street Gallery, Sydney, Australia, 2012 Dali International Photography Exhibition, Dali, Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Republic of China, 2012 New Years Day The Photographers Gallery za, Cape Town, South Africa, 2012 Present History II The Photographers Gallery za, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011 101 Artists Spier Contemporary, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010 Resolution - The Power of Innuendo, Association for Visual Art, Cape Town, South Africa, 2009 The Hero Within The Photographers Gallery za, Cape Town, South Africa, 2009 Publications Het Parool Exit Magazine New Years Day - Exhibition Catalogue Awards International Fine Art Photography Competition Merit Award 2012 Critical Mass 2012 Finalist PDN Photo Annual, New York Finalist 2012 Open Award South Africa 2012 Celeste Prize New York Finalist 2011 Art Fairs PhotoLA, Santa Monica, USA, 2012 Contemporary Art Fair, Zurich, Switzerland, 2012

__________________________________________________________ ERDMANNCONTEMPORARY & thePHOTOGRAPHERSgalleryZA 84 Kloof Street l Cape Town, 8001 T. 021 422 2762 l E. galleryinfo@mweb.co.za www.erdmanncontemporary.co.za.