Untitled #11(from The Seventh Wave)
Photographer
Narelle Autio
(Australian, born 1961)
Photographer
Trent Parke
(Australian, born 1971)
Date1999-2000
Object number00033566
NamePhotograph
MediumDigital type C print
DimensionsOverall: 1097 x 2881 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph was taken by Narelle Autio and Trent Parke in 2000. After travelling the world's surface as award-winning photojournalists, Autio and Parke wanted to explore the environment beneath the surface of a wave. Here under the pier, swimmers drift and float in water, shadows and light - as much at home as the fish.
Image on left of diptych by Narelle Autio; image on right of diptych by Trent Parke.HistoryIn July 2000 Australian photographers Narelle Autio and Trent Parke released a book of contemporary black and white photographs capturing the underwater world of people swimming, surfing and playing in the ocean. Published by Hot Chilli Press Australia, The Seventh Wave was a critical and popular success. An exhibition selling some of the prints shown in the book, also called The Seventh Wave was held at Stills Gallery in Paddington, Sydney from July 12 to August 12 2000. The show then travelled on to regional art galleries around NSW.
Both Parke and Autio have worked as photojournalists for over 10 years. Parke has won numerous national and international awards including five Gold Lenses from the International Olympic Committee. In 2000 he received a World Press Photo Award (for the Seventh Wave). Autio, a staff photographer for the Sydney Morning Herald was selected in the 1999 Leica Documentary Award touring exhibition for The Seventh Wave project.
The book and exhibition title The Seventh Wave emerged after many of the photographs were taken. 'As we photographed, a natural cycle, not unlike that of the ocean began to emerge. We saw the swimmers run and jump into the water, saw them disappear under, watched them hold and dive, only to emerge exalted a few moments later and do it all over again... and the waves kept rolling in, first gradually, then growing bigger with each wave, building up as they approached their final destination, breaking with explosive force and sending bodies flying and children screaming, a mixture of terror and delight... the seventh wave they say is the biggest.'SignificanceThis photograph is significant in capturing the profound effect the ocean has on the Australian sense of self.
