“MANU [MANKIND]” Exhibition Details:
![MANU[Mankind]](https://rebeccahoskingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Manu-Poster-A3_RHosking-212x300.jpeg)
MANU, Sanskrit for mankind is an exhibition of B&W photographic portraits, which explore the theme of men with community spirit. It celebrates diversity, resilience, men’s health issues, and the contributions these men humbly make to their local community on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
As individuals, these men make meaningful and positive changes to their own lives and to those around them. Their combined actions and attitudes within the community in turn shape the local sense of place.
Rebecca Hosking’s photographs capture the unique spirit of each man with sensitivity and skill, and each portrait is accompanied by the person’s profound words, reinforcing their places individually and collectively in the cultural and social landscape.
The overall exhibition portrays a spectrum of man.
Manu: the archetypal first man of Hindu mythology, survivor of the great flood and father of the human race.
Manu: the “you in man”.
MANU [MANKIND] is a striking black and white photographic portraiture exhibition by Photographic Artist Rebecca Hosking.
The exhibition is at Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E) in Ballarat as a part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB), Fringe, and contains 12 x B&W Portraits.
The concept for the exhibition is to acknowledge, pay respect and honour the people who contribute and positively shape communities, and raise awareness for men’s health.
The men featured in the portraits are people who stand out as leaders and who contribute to community. All were nominated from within the Surf Coast community for these valuable qualities.
“The people of the Surf Coast are connected by the rugged, raw and gentle coastline and the beauty of the heath lands and the Otway’s.”
Each individual person directly influenced my inspiration for the photos & styles of each portrait, and my goal was to honour each person, reflect their diversity, & capture their essence in doing so.
It reminds us all to celebrate the differences the similarities, the resilience in ourselves and within each other.
It raises appreciation of the people (of our Surf Coast), and as an exhibition, it continues to uplift and inspire others.
B&W portraiture is powerful as it allows us to get closer to the subject, by removing the distractions of colour, & allows the subjects soul to be seen honestly.
Each mans personal words of whom, what and where their inspiration and resilience comes from, and their life philosophy, importantly accompanies their portraits. It adds an extra personal element to their portrait.
The exhibition launched at Qdos Gallery in Lorne and then travelled further afield to Ballarat where it showcased at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB), Fringe Element, fittingly at the home of democracy, at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E).
The exhibition at Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E) saw a minimum of 2,720 visitors to the exhibition whilst the exhibition at Qdos Gallery numbers were uncounted but also experienced a great support, was celebrated and saw excellent numbers.
Rebecca says:
“I enjoy being part of a community and feel that exhibiting is rewarding, and the exercise of actively participating within the art community and others who enjoy photography, to be uplifting.”
MENS HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The theme of the exhibition was and is an opportunity to celebrate the good things that men and boys bring to our society as well as to shed light on the health and wellbeing issues they face.
There are many medical and social factors that do impact on the physical, social, emotional and spiritual health of all Australian’s.
Men and women have different health needs, are affected differently by various diseases and illnesses,
The health of the male population is in no way more or less important than the health of the female population but it is different.
Men and boys face different health and wellbeing concerns than women and girls. There is an ongoing, increasing and mostly silent crisis in the health and wellbeing of men and boys. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally conditioned behaviour patterns in their work and personal lives, the health and wellbeing of men and boys is an area of concern.
This exhibition raises awareness of these issues, insights, and the profile of men’s health internationally, nationally, regionally and locally, and acknowledges the contribution of men and boys to society and community.
(The above words are a part of the research that influenced this project. The selected words and reshaped sentences were appreciatively resourced from the “Mens Health Week” website.)