John Donegan
Broken Creek
22 March - 6 April 2023
G1
Opening Night
Friday 24 March | 6pm – 8pm
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‘The Broken Creek’ marks a turning point, whereby John Donegan is exploring finding peace within nature and himself. Allowing himself to enjoy his own company for the first time, Donegan finds old things to be seen anew.
Artist Bio
John Donegan was moved as a child to observe the minutiae of suburban life by the writings ofAustralian authors like David Malouf and George Johnston whose ability to turn a tram journey; a bike ride or a swim into something magical was an inspiration.
He sold his first photograph to a newspaper aged 14 and still pinches himself every day that photography provides him with a living 40 years later.
John grew up in suburban Melbourne but his career has taken him to live in London, Jerusalem, Darwin and Sydney. He is constantly humbled by the access into people’s lives he is afforded simply by dint of his ability to wield a camera with empathy.
John began his professional career as a cadet photographer at The Herald and Weekly Times in Melbourne in 1985 where he was promoted to Sports Photographer of The Herald at the age of 21.
In 1988, John relocated to London where he worked as a stringer for The Evening Standard, Associated Press, The Express, The Sunday Correspondent et al.
John moved to Jerusalem in 1991 on a retainer for The Guardian and stringing for Associated Press covering Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.
Returning to Australia, John returned to the now-merged Herald Sun as a photographer and took over as Picture Editor in 1996. John won two Walkley Awards for his photography whilst at the Herald Sun.
John joined The Age in 1998 taking over as Picture Editor of The Sunday Age in 1999 and moving to the role of Chief Sports Photographer in 2006.
John moved to Sydney in 2009 for personal reasons, taking on the role of primary carer of his three young children. During this period he served on the Walkley Advisory Board and as a judge and curator for the Head On Photo Festival.
In 2012, John broke new ground as a multimedia reporter for radio station 702 ABC Sydney providing photography and reporting for the station’s website and live reporting on air.
John remains as enthused and energised by photography today as he was on the 19 August 1985 when he walked nervously through the brass and glass doors of The Herald & Weekly Times and, after 35 years as a photojournalist, he has turned his camera to the native landscapes around the waterways of Yorta Yorta country.
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)
