Jesse James
Australian photographer Tom Blachford is gearing up for a solo exhibition. Inspired by M.C. Escher, the “Centro Verso” exhibition will take place at Backwoods Gallery this month. The display marks the artist’s first show in his home city of Melbourne in almost three years. This time around, Blachford captures images of Melbourne in his signature nighttime photography. He then collages these images with multiple cities around the world.
This results in these dystopias that explore how the camera can “bridge our worlds to dark worlds beyond our reach.” Blachford uses long lenses, extended exposure times, and rotation to create his images. The result are bustling cities that defy logic and engineering. Colors of bold purples and blue tones give off a surreal, dreamlike aesthetic. The images are taken from a rooftop 57 floors high, making something striking and captivating, to say the least. Blachford explains, “I am fascinated by how one simple tweak can completely short-circuit our brains’ ability to perceive depth, perspective, and time.” The artist will present five large-scale sculptures to accompany his photographs. This marks the first time he will display sculptures. He taught himself to use CAD software and 3D printers, creating physical manifestations of his cities.
Take a closer look at some of his creations in the images below and look for “Centro Verso” from November 22 to December 8. Find out more about the exhibition from Backwoods Gallery and stay tuned for more modern art coming very soon.
Photos via Backwoods Gallery
