After A Few Wines ….. We’ll Figure Out The Title”

Published: 2011
Author: Tom Fantl
Photography: Tom Fantl
Introduction by: Ashley Crawford
Country of Publication: Australia
Format: Paperback

Over more than a decade, I have been photographing, for my own creative amusement, and I suppose, a record of my own life and situations, an extraordinary array of personages, types, events, and at times, incidents. A huge array of what has become my presence in this spectre of histories, has entered my humble lens. The photos have always been direct and never manipulated via e.g. photoshop. I always aim, somehow or other, to leave my own creative aesthetic as a visual artist, when I choose to close the shutter.

I have had the good fortune to have a good many friends, acquaintances and passers-by in the zany world of art of this continent. The photos have always been respectful of their subject/s, and there have probably been as many deletes as retentions. No-one has denied me my using the diminutive camera. I thank everyone for indulging my record of times, lives, events, and, situations. I particularly enjoyed deciding the placement of content and aesthetic with each of the two images one sees with each turn of the page.

Particular thanks and gratitude must go to Ashely Crawford who mooted this exhibition to Andy Dinan of MARS Gallery, and to Andy herself, who saw the merit in this. Only when all was confirmed, did Ashley, cheekily run it past me. The concept was based on what has become a significant body of work over time, which, not only recorded so many and so much, but has obviously become a snapshot of visual art history. But, Ashley also saw the significance of the inherent aesthetic in what I have been doing. I am not a professional photographer artist. The choice from over 4000 images thus far were never meant to be shown in a public event or book.

Bernhard Sachs, over a lunch, jumped at the choice of “co-curating” with Ashley and myself. Surprised as I was by his exuberance, his input invaluable, and we had a grand time complementing the lengthy process over several sittings, with good wine spurring us on.

My special thanks to Raphael Fantl and Andrew Goldsmith. Their input in ensuring success of the project has been invaluable and my obvious personal gratitude to them both.

And, my gratitude to all who appear here. Everyone indulged me with their trust, and I can’t ask for more than that.

— Tom Fantl