Table of Contents
| Title: | Susan Van Wyk |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 04:50 |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Director/DOP: | Jason McQuoid / Peter M Lamont |
| Music: | Peter M Lamont |
In 2014 we collaborated with Edmund Pearce Gallery to produce a series of short films about photography. In this third episode, EP director Jason McQuoid interviewed Susan Van Wyk who is the senior curator for photography at the NGV in Melbourne, Australia.
The Department of Photography holds around 15,500 photographs ranging in date from the 1840s to contemporary works. Highlights of the collection include the earliest photographs of Aboriginal peoples taken by Douglas Kilburn, important nineteenth-century French, British and American works, major works by Man Ray and Australia’s largest collection of photographs by Athol Shmith. We hold a major collection of photographs by Bill Henson as well as significant contemporary Australian photographs by Tracey Moffat, Rosemary Laing and David Stephenson. In addition, the collection includes important contemporary international works by Jeff Wall, Thomas Struth, Cindy Sherman, Richard Mosse, Zanele Muholi, Ayana V. Jackson and Zhang Huan. Susan van Wyk is a prominent figure in the Australian art scene, serving as the Senior Curator of Photography at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne. Since joining NGV in 1989, she has curated over sixty exhibitions, with a focus on Australian and international photography. Her role emphasizes the diversity of the photographic medium, encompassing both historical and contemporary works. Among her notable exhibitions are "Olympia: Photographs by Polixeni Papapetrou" (2019), "Turning Points: Contemporary Photography from China" (2019), and the historical exhibition "Colony: Australia 1770–1861" (2018).
Van Wyk’s academic background includes a degree in photography and a postgraduate qualification in museum studies. This unique combination gives her a deep understanding of photographic art as well as the specialized techniques of museum curation. Her expertise extends to published works, including books such as "No Standing Only Dancing: Photographs by Rennie Ellis" and "The Paris End: Photography, Fashion, and Glamour." Her publications often explore the social and cultural dimensions of photography, emphasizing its role in capturing and shaping cultural identities.
In addition to curating, van Wyk engages the public through talks and discussions on photography. She participated in a notable conversation with photographer Bruce Gilden during the NGV Triennial, discussing his series "Faces 2012–14" and offering insights into contemporary photographic practices. Through these public events, she fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of photography as an art form.
Her curatorial projects showcase a variety of photographic styles and cultural perspectives, highlighting photography’s impact on Australian art and society. She has been instrumental in expanding the NGV’s photography collection, creating exhibitions that resonate with both art enthusiasts and the general public. By selecting works that capture the essence of different eras and regions, van Wyk plays a key role in educating viewers about photography’s evolving role in storytelling.
Susan van Wyk’s influence extends beyond the NGV. Through her public speaking engagements, publications, and curatorial achievements, she has helped elevate the role of photography within Australian cultural institutions. Her career reflects a dedication to promoting photography as a powerful medium for documenting and interpreting the world around us.
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