Photography students from the Queensland College of Art will have their work displayed at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
A series of large scale images will be on display at the GC2018 Main Media Centre- a purpose-built hub in Broadbeach that will host press representatives from around the globe, providing a backdrop for live crosses and interviews during the Games.
Queensland College of Art Photography program director Dr Heather Faulkner said the project offered students unprecedented exposure for their work.
“Griffith University is the Official Creative Arts Partner of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and it’s great to see our students being given these once in a lifetime experiences as part of that,” she said.
Queensland College of Art Photomedia convenor Dr Isaac Brown has worked with students to pull together the exhibition.
He said the brief for the students was based around three themes: performance and control, mind and body and pushing the limits.
“The students have produced some really striking images,” he said.
“The audience for this exhibition is really the world’s media, and we are really proud to show what our students are capable of and their potential.”
Melody Davis, 20, is in her final year of a Bachelor of Digital Media / Bachelor of Business.
Two of her stunning black and white portraits of Griffith track and field stars will go on display during the Commonwealth Games.
“I only had twentyminutes to shoot before a massivethunderstorm opened up and the track was flooded – it was very dramatic,” she said.
“I wanted to showcase the emotional side of sport – the drive and passion that our athletes have.”
The Gold Coast native said she was thrilled to be part of the Games.
“There is definitely a real buzz building as the Games approach,” she said.
“I’m really happy to be part of it.”
Photography Honours student Stephen Jigalin was given access to a series of sporting events in the lead up to GC2018 – capturing divers in action at the Optus Aquatic Centre and athletes competing in Games trials at the Belmont Shooting Centre.
“It was the first time I had ever shot sporting events, so I had to learn pretty quickly,” he said.
“We had a pretty open brief, but I wanted to capture the beauty and movement of the athletes.”
Stephen is thrilled his work will be on display to media professionals and television audiences during the Games.
“Our work is up on the wall where some of the world’s top photographers and journalists are based during the Games,” he said.
“It’s amazing exposure for us, and it’s great that Griffith has teamed up with the Commonwealth Games to provide students with these experiences.”