John Donegan

14 -25 May 2025

G3

Opening Night

Friday 16 May | 6 - 8 pm

Into The Gloaming

At a given moment every evening, the gloaming beckons through the silent bush; inviting me to explore; to embark on adventure. I find this light, in the moments after sunset, unique to the Australian bush and it inspires me to try to create work that is equally unique. This is work in progress. Life is work in progress. I am reacquainting myself with joy of silence, after decades of trying to find joy in cacophony.

In the gloaming oh, my darling

when the lights are dim and low

And the quiet shadows falling

softly come and softly go

- by Meta Caroline Orred

Artist Biography

John Donegan is an Australian artist and former photojournalist who has exhibited widely. He is known for his photography that captures the beauty and rhythm of everyday life, as well as his multimedia compositions that explore the landscapes of Yorta Yorta country.

Donegan was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and grew up in the suburbs. He was inspired by the writings of Australian authors like David Malouf and George Johnston, who turned ordinary scenes into something magical. He sold his first photograph to a newspaper at the age of 14, and pursued a career in photo journalism. He worked for The Herald Sun and The Age in Melbourne, The Evening Standard and The Guardian in London, Associated Press, Getty Images and other media outlets, covering events and stories in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

He won two Walkley Awards for his photography while working for the Herald Sun. He also broke new ground as a multimedia reporter for radio station 702 ABC Sydney, providing photography and reporting for the station's website and live on air.

After 35 years as a photojournalist, he moved to country Victoria and turned his camera to the native landscapes around the waterways of the Broken Creek. He also started painting, using water colour, acrylics and oils to create abstract multimedia works.

He has exhibited his works in solo and group shows at Red Gallery in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Stanley Street Gallery in Sydney and other venues. His photographic practice was notable for the beauty in the menial and ordinary rhythms of everyday life that he found, often highlighting the seemingly unimportant, insignificant, or unseen.

For many years, Donegan struggled with bipolar disorder, a mental illness that caused him to swing between extreme highs and lows. He thrived in the chaotic environment of the newsroom, where his manic episodes fueled his passion for capturing the world through his lens. But he also suffered from severe depression.

It was during one of his hospital stays that he discovered the power of mindfulness, a practice of being fully present and aware of one's surroundings. He realised that he had been doing this unconsciously every time he picked up a camera, focusing on the moment and the beauty of what he saw.

Now, after being diagnosed and treated with appropriate medication, Donegan enjoys solitude, and has shifted his attention to the native landscapes of Yorta Yorta country, where he lives. He spends hours in the bush around the Broken Creek, observing how it changes with the seasons and the time of day, revealing different aspects of its personality.

His recovery has also involved facing the traumas of his past, opening up to his emotions, and accepting his vulnerability. He says that the Broken Creek series reflects his own transformation, from a turbulent and troubled mind to a calm and contemplative one. He captures the subtle details and the hidden depths of the creek with his art, creating stunning images that showcase its beauty and diversity.

Donegan says that he is still as passionate and excited about photography as he was on the 19 August 1985, when he started his career at The Herald and Weekly Times. But he has also learned to appreciate the quieter and simpler moments of life, thanks to his connection with nature and himself.

Contact
Phone : (03) 9482 3550
mail@redgallery.com.au

Address
157 St Georges Rd
Fitzroy North, Victoria, 3068
Map

How to get here
Tram: Route 11
Stop 21 just north of Edinburgh Gardens

Melway Ref: 30B12
Parking in nearby streets

Bus: 504 (Reid Street)