This year’s Ballarat International Foto Biennale will feature more than 2000 works by some of the world’s biggest photography names.

Headline exhibitions will include:

• the global premiere of People Power – Platon
• an in-depth display by Indian street photographer Vineet Vohra
• Instant Warhol – original Polaroids taken by pop culture icon Andy Warhol

Described as Australia’s most significant and prestigious photographic arts festival, the event’s 10th installment will run from 26 August – 22 October.

“We have reached far and wide into all corners of the world to bring together the greatest collection of photographs that have documented our generation,” Ballarat International Foto Biennale CEO Vanessa Gerrans said.

The theme of the 2023 festival is The Real Thing, in honour of Russell Morris’ 1969 six-minute surround sounding musical trip.

Like the song, the Foto Biennale will be all encompassing, embracing visitors in an all-immersive experience.

“It’s up to the viewer to have an opinion as to what is real and what is not,” Vanessa said.

“This event encourages curiosity, and we invite all to experience the city of Ballarat through a different lens.”

The full program and tickets are available at ballaratfoto.org.

Platon

Exclusive to the Ballarat International Foto Biennale is the global premiere of People Power – Platon.

Get up close with over 120 portraits snapped by renowned New York photographer Platon of today’s headline makers and shakers.

Think Gaddafi, Vivienne Westwood, Putin, Prince, Michelle Obama, Adele, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Rudd, Pussy Riot and more

Vineet Vohra

The work of acclaimed documentary-style photographer Vineet Vohra will be highlighted in an in-depth display of his most important works.

Considered one of the most influential street photographers of his generation, Vineet will be holding very limited, intimate workshops studying the streets and style of Ballarat.

Andy Warhol

Also celebrating street style is Instant Warhol – 59 Polaroids taken by Andy Warhol capturing people, parties and pop culture of the 1970s and 80s.

Andy was a devotee of the Polaroid, taking thousands of photographs between 1958 and 1987.

His snaps were both social document and art, with many of the images later turned into famous silkscreen prints.

The 2023 Foto Biennale will also be filled with Australian premieres including first-time exhibitions from international photographers Yvonne Todd (New Zealand) and Erik Johansson (Sweden).

Alongside these will be world-first exhibitions from Stephen Dupont, Michael Jalaru Torres, Colleen Raven Strangways plus the Australian exclusive of the Michael Kantor Portrait Prize.

The comprehensive program will also include everything from workshops to walking
tours, conversations to classes.

Main image: Erik Johansson, Above All, C-Type, 180 x 135cm