Photography exhibition opens today at Wollongong cafe
We are Kin is showing as part of the Head On Photography Festival’s open program
The exhibition We are Kin is showing as part of the Head On Photography Festival’s open program. The annual festival is based in Bondi with satellite exhibitions all over Australia.
Wollongong’s We are Kin tells the stories of everyday people and explores the power of connection. Photographer Ruth Barbato uses life-size portraits and audio conversations to emulate what it’s like to meet someone in real life.
Pictured above are Scott and Tim from the ‘Knights of Albion’ who practice Buhurt, an ancient medieval fighting style often enacted in armour that weighs about 30kg.
See We are Kin from 11-25 November at Lili J Cafe, during cafe hours.
Story behind the show
We are Kin made its debut at Wollongong Art Gallery with an exhibition held in November 2024.
"It explores how the simple act of starting a conversation with a stranger can foster a sense of connection and kinship," Ruth told the Flame at the time.
"Post-lockdown, I noticed an increased sense of disconnection present in society. Wanting to do something about it, I went out into the local community to capture portraits, listen to people’s stories and most importantly connect. I discovered people were keen to talk.
"The exhibition We are Kin grew out of these interactions. The exhibition includes life-size portraits of some of the people I met accompanied by audio of a shared conversation. The audio is an integral part of the exhibition as it allows the viewer to connect with the person in the portrait by listening to their story.
"Some of the stories include a farmer who has been struck by lightning, a Wollongong local who covered his car in astro turf and a woman who established the first breakdancing school in the Illawarra. All audio stories can be accessed at the exhibition or online at any time.
"The exhibition’s aim is to celebrate the diversity of the local community and to show how we are surrounded by a rich river of stories. It hopes to inspire people to get curious about those around them and start a conversation. As a community, if we start to connect more deeply with each other it may just help heal the disconnection many people feel and replace it with a sense of kinship."
