Exhibition in Focus: Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 - 2009

Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 - 2009

Stephen Dupont

An Australian Centre for Photography Touring Exhibition

15 March – 26 May 2013

Perhaps the reporting period’s most controversial exhibition, Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 – 2009—touring from the Australian Centre for photograph—was also likely the most successful.

Attracting 8,669 visitors during its showing, Gallery Services staff consistently observed a dramatic increase in the length of time patrons spent in the exhibition space to study and consume these powerful images by internationally recognised artist and photo-journalist Stephen Dupont. This resulted in thoroughly considered responses left by visitors in the comments book, variously expressing their profound appreciation, deep sense of having been moved, or, on occasion, distaste for the show.

Mostly due to its powerful content relevant to the region, the exhibition also attracted a substantial amount of local media across all mediums, including four interviews on local television news programs aired on 7 and WIN.

The hosting of this exhibition was scheduled as part of Gallery Services’ ongoing engagement with the large military demographic based in Townsville—continuing a proud tradition of hosting nationally and internationally significant exhibitions of military or war content toured from prestigious institutions such as the Australian War Memorial, George Eastman House, or on this occasion the Australian Centre for Photography.

The artist Stephen Dupont was most gracious in giving his time towards the end of the exhibition to engage with local school groups as part of Gallery Services’ Guest Lecture Series, and deliver an insightful artist talk to a captive audience on Friday 17 May.

Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom 1993 – 2009 was both a beautiful and deeply moving exhibition, presenting a confronting portrait of a country that has remained a focal point of the world’s attention for several decades.

Between 1993 and 2009, Stephen Dupont – whose images of American soldiers burning the bodies of dead Taliban earned him the Robert Capa Gold Medal Award citation from the Overseas Press Club of America –travelled to and from the conflict-ridden country, documenting the rise and fall of several regimes and gaining unparalleled access to political leaders.

Shane Fitzgerald, Manager of Gallery Services, states that the images within the exhibition “were at times graphic, but it was important we show them as they provide a powerful and compelling vision of Afghanistan, and its people, who have experienced such horror.”

“The compositions of Dupont’s photographs are masterful, but it was the humanising effect of the works that was their true strength – underlining for viewers the full impact of war.”