Photographer’s poignant work to feature at gallery
The first year anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shootings will be marked in Timaru with a special exhibition by photographer Brian High.
The Aigantighe Art Gallery has collaborated with the town’s noted photographer to show its solidarity this weekend for the families and victims.
The exhibition marks one year since the tragic events in Christchurch, on March 15, when a gunman walked into two of the city’s mosques and killed 51 people and left 49 injured.
A special video artwork created by High in the aftermath of the event will be shown over the two days.
The video predominantly records individuals placing flowers outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave capturing the sadness, love and unity shown by people following the tragedy.
High said he shared the image in front of the community with the hope that compassion shared, strengthens community.
‘‘In the immediate aftermath of the mosque shootings in Christchurch, I was witness to a silent outpouring of emotions,’’ he said.
‘‘An endless stream of people were passing by where I stood, and for the three days and nights I was there this tide of humanity kept flowing.
‘‘I was commissioned as a camera operator for an international news organisation and we were sending correspondents’ reports live back to their home stations.
‘‘In the 10-15 minutes between reports I couldn’t help but be moved by the hundreds, and eventually thousands, of raw unhidden emotions on the faces that were slowly and silently, going along the flower wall.
‘‘In photographing these people, these faces, these unhidden emotions, I hope I have shown the shared hurt, care and compassion of a community in that place, at that time.’’
The Aigantighe hosted a board of remembrance following the attacks, with hundreds of messages of support for the Muslim community.
Art gallery manager Cara Fitzgerald said art has always been an important way for people to remember events or moments in time.
‘‘Sometimes it’s difficult to know an appropriate way to remember something that was such a huge tragedy and affected so many people, especially when knowing that the family and friends of the victims remember their loved ones everyday,’’ she said.
‘‘We feel that this artwork, which highlights the outpouring of love, compassion and support from the community, was the best way that we could reflect on the terrible events that happened last year.’’