B.

During the ANZART event last August in Christchurch we exhibited thirty very fine photographs by the Australian sculptor/photographer Robert Owen.

The Cibachromes, of exceptional quality, were taken by Robert Owen on the Island of Burano in the Lagoon of Venice in 1978 when he represented Australia in the Venice Biennale of that year.

The works represented in this exhibition were all taken in one locality - the Island of Burano in the Lagoon of Venice. Burano is a small island, a short boat journey from Venice, near Murano and Torcello. During the middle ages the islands in the Lagoon were constructed as retreats by people escaping from the wars on the Mainland. In their infancy, these retreats were like 'birds nests' on the Lagoon and they gradually grew together to form a small autonomous community.

The island dwellers have for generations, been traders of salt, fish and fine handmade lace and they have also developed a highly individualistic way of painting their houses.

Owen found the contrast between the soft colours of decaying Venice and the brilliant hard edge geometry of the brightly painted houses in Burano, a statement of unified individuality.

Robert Owen was born in Sydney in 1937. He studied at the National Art School between 1958 and 1962 and lived in Greece from 1963 to 1966. He lived and worked in London from 1966 to 1975 and now resides in Sydney. He has been represented in various one person and group exhibitions in Britain, Australia, United States and Japan.

The Robert McDougall Art Gallery have prepared these photographs for tour. The Sarjeant Art Gallery will be opening this exhibition March 30.