New website: Marcus Bunyan – celebrating 30 years of art practice in 2021

November 2021

Celebration!

Recent work

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Resonance' 2021

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2021
From the series Resonance

 

 

In 2021, I celebrate 30 years of art practice with the creation of a new website, the first to contain all my bodies of work since 1991 (note: more bodies of work still have to be added between 1996-1999).

My first solo exhibition was in a hair dressing salon in High Street, Prahran, Melbourne in 1991, during my second year of a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art Photography) at RMIT University (formerly Phillip Institute out in Bundoora). Titled Of Magic, Music and Myth it featured black and white medium format photographs of the derelict Regent Theatre and the old Victorian Railway’s Newport Workshops.

The concerns that I had at the time in my art making have remained with me to this day: that is, an investigation into the boundaries between identity, space and environment. Music and “spirit” have always been an abiding influence – the intrinsic music of the world and the spirit of objects, nature, people and the cosmos … in a continuing exploration of spaces and places, using found images and digital and film cameras to record glances, meditations and movement through different environments.

30 years after I started I hope I have learnt a lot about image making … and a lot about myself. I also hope the early bodies of my work are still as valid now as they were when I made them. In the 30 years since I became an artist my concerns have remained constant but as well, my sense of exploration and joy at being creative remains undimmed and an abiding passion.

Now, with ego integrated and the marching of the years I just make art for myself, yes, but the best reason to make art is … for love and for the cosmos. For I believe any energy that we give out to the great beyond is recognised by spirit. Success is fleeting but making art gives energy to creation. We all return to the great beyond, eventually.

Dr Marcus Bunyan

 

Unknown photographer. 'Opening of Marcus Bunyan's exhibition 'The Naked Man Fears No Pickpockets' at The Photographers' Gallery and Workshop, Melbourne, 1993 showing at left (behind the crowd) the photograph 'Richmond Steps' 1993' 1993

 

Unknown photographer
Opening of Marcus Bunyan’s exhibition The Naked Man Fears No Pickpockets at The Photographers’ Gallery and Workshop, Melbourne, 1993 showing at left (behind the crowd) the photograph Richmond Steps 1993
1993
Polaroid

 

Ian Lobb (Australian, b. 1948) 'Marcus 31/8/92 Taken by Ian Lobb at Phillip [Institute]' 1992

 

Ian Lobb (Australian, b. 1948)
Marcus 31/8/92 Taken by Ian Lobb at Phillip [Institute]
1992
Polaroid

 

Jeff Whitehead (Australian) 'Marcus in his Fred Perry and Doc Martens with his Mamiya RZ67 on tripod with Pelican case on Jeff's car, Studley Park, Melbourne' 1991-1992

 

Jeff Whitehead (Australian)
Marcus in his Fred Perry and Doc Martens with his Mamiya RZ67 on tripod with Pelican case on Jeff’s car, Studley Park, Melbourne
1991-1992
Colour photograph

 

The only photograph of me with my camera 30 years ago!

 

Each photograph from a body of work in this posting (below) links to the body of work on my new website. Please click on the photographs to see the work.

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Stones, Vaults, Flowers: Père Lachaise' 2017-2020

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2017-2020
From the series Stones, Vaults, Flowers: Père Lachaise

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958). 'Untitled' from the series 'A Day in the Tiergarten' 2019-2020

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2019-2020
From the series A Day in the Tiergarten

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) ‘Untitled’ from the series ‘The Night Journey’ 2019

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2019
From the series The Night Journey

 

Marcus Bunyan (English-Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' 2019 From the series 'Oblique'

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2019
From the series Oblique

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Parc de Sceaux' from the series 'Paris in film' 2018

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Parc de Sceaux
2018
From the series Paris in film

 

War dreams 2007-2017

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'The Shape of Dreams' 2013-2017

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2013-2017
From the series The Shape of Dreams

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Too Much of the Air' 2015

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2015
From the series Too Much of the Air

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'upside down' 2013

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2013
From the series upside down

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Vertical' 2011

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2011
From the series Vertical

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'The Symbolic Order (cartes de visite)' 2011

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2011
From the series The Symbolic Order (cartes de visite)

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Missing in Action (red kenosis)' 2010

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2010
From the series Missing in Action (red kenosis)

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Missing in Action (dark kenosis) No. 68' 2010

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2010
From the series Missing in Action (dark kenosis)

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Missing in Action (horizontal kenosis) No. 17' 2010

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2010
From the series Missing in Action (horizontal kenosis)

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'There But For The Grace of You Go I' 2009

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2009
From the series There but for the Grace of You Go I

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'The Shape of Dreams' 2009

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2009
From the series The Shape of Dreams

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Momentum' 2009

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2009
From the series Momentum

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Cut and Thrust' 2008

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2008
From the series Cut and Thrust

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Drone' 2007

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2007
From the series Drone

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Nebula' 2007

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2007
From the series Nebula

 

Transformations 1996-2008

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Discarded Views' 2008

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2008
From the series Discarded Views

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Last Stand' 2008

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2008
From the series Last Stand

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Wonders Never Cease' 2007

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2007
From the series Wonders Never Cease

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Unearth' 2007

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2007
From the series Unearth

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Aporia' 2006

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2006
From the series Aporia

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Photos My Mother Sent Me' 2005

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2005
From the series Photos My Mother Sent Me

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'No Man's Land' 2005

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2005
From the series No Man’s Land

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Tokern' 2005

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2005
From the series Tokern

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Inurtia' 2005

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2005
From the series Inurtia

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'VV – 09GI and NV – 17EP during a thunderstorm, Albury' from the series 'Enclosure' 2005

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
VV – 09GI and NV – 17EP during a thunderstorm, Albury
2005
From the series Enclosure

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Bedtime' from the series 'Neo_mort' 2004

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Bedtime
2004
From the series Neo_mort

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Desideratum' 2003

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2003
From the series Desideratum

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'Last Days at Karngara' 2002

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2002
From the series Last Days at Karngara

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' from the series 'The Wrestlers' 2001

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2001
From the series The Wrestlers

 

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Button 2B
2001
From the series D O < R >

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Plane 6' from the series 'Throw High and Hard' 2001

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Plane 6
2001
From the series Throw High and Hard

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled' 2000 From the series 'Thirdspace'

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled
2000
From the series Thirdspace

 

Black and white archive 1991-1997

PLEASE VIEW THE BLACK AND WHITE ARCHIVE POSTINGS

 

 

 

Marcus Bunyan black and white archive 1991-1997

PLEASE VIEW THE BLACK AND WHITE ARCHIVE POSTINGS

 

 

Marcus Bunyan website

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Text: “The Book of Memory” extract from Paul Auster’s ‘The Invention of Solitude’ 1982

November 2013

 

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958) 'Untitled (family)' 2005

 

Marcus Bunyan (Australian, b. 1958)
Untitled (family)
2005
From the series Photos my mother sent me, 2005

 

 

The Book of Memory. Book Four.

Several blank pages. To be followed by profuse illustrations. Old family photographs, for each person his own family, going back as many generations as possible. To look at these with utmost care.

Afterwards, several sequences of reproductions, beginning with the portraits Rembrandt painted of his son, Titus. To include all of them: from the view of the little boy in 1650 (golden hair, red feathered cap) to the 1655 portrait of Titus ‘puzzling over his lessons’ (pensive, at his desk, compass dangling from his left hand, right thumb pressed against his chin) to Titus in 1658 (seventeen years old, the extraordinary red hat, and, as one commentator has written, ‘The artist has painted his son with the same sense of penetration usually reserved for his own features’) to the last surviving canvas of Titus, from the early 1660s: ‘the face seems that of a weak old man ravaged with disease. Of course, we look at it with hindsight – we know that Titus will predecease his father…’

To be followed by the 1602 portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh and his eight-year-old-son Wat (artist unknown) that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. To note: the uncanny similarity of their poses. Both father and son facing forward, left hands on hips, right feet pointing forward, and the somber determination on the boy’s face to imitate the self-confident, imperious stare of the father. To remember: that when Raleigh was released after a thirteen-year incarceration in the Tower of London (1618) and launched out on a doomed voyage to Guiana to clear his name, Wat was with him. To remember that Wat, leading a reckless military charge against the Spanish, lost his life in the jungle. Raleigh to his wife: ‘I have never known what sorrow meant until now.’ And so went he went back to England, and allowed the King to chop of his head.

To be followed by more photographs, perhaps several dozen: Mallarmé’s son, Anatole; Anne Frank (‘This is a photo that shows me as I should always like to look. Then I would surely have a chance to go to Hollywood. but now, unfortunately, I usually look different’); Mur; the children of Cambodia; the children of Atlanta. The dead children. The children who will vanish, the children who are dead. Himmler: ‘I have made the decision to annihilate every Jewish child from the face of the earth.’ Nothing but pictures. Because, at a certain point, the words lead one to conclude that it is no longer possible to speak. Because these pictures are the unspeakable.

Paul Auster. “The Book of Memory,” from The Invention of Solitude. Faber and Faber, 1982, pp. 102-103.


Please click on the images for a larger version.

 

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668) 'Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress (Titus)' c. 1655

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668)
Portrait of a Boy in Fancy Dress (Titus)
c. 1655
Oil on canvas

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668) 'Portrait of Titus' 1655

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668)
Portrait of Titus
1655
Oil on canvas

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668) 'The Artists Son Titus' 1657

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668)
The Artists Son Titus
1657
Oil on canvas

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668) 'Portrait of Titus' 1663

 

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1641-1668)
Portrait of Titus
1663
Oil on canvas

 

Unknown artist. 'Sir Walter Ralegh and son' 1602

 

Unknown artist
Sir Walter Ralegh and son
1602
Oil on canvas
78 1/2 in. x 50 1/8 in. (1994 mm x 1273mm)
Given by Lennard family, 1954
National Portrait Gallery, London

 

Anonymous photographer. 'Portrait of Anatole Mallarmé' c. 1874

 

Anonymous photographer
Portrait of Anatole Mallarmé
c. 1874
Photograph

 

Unknown photographer. 'Anne Frank' 10th October 1942

 

Unknown photographer
Anne Frank
10th October 1942
Hand written note from The Diary of a Young Girl

 

Photos of child victims on display at the Toul Sleng Genocide museum in Cambodia

 

Photos of child victims on display at the Toul Sleng Genocide museum in Cambodia

 

Unknown photographer. 'Executions of Kiev Jews by German army mobile killing units (Einsatzgruppen) near Ivangorod Ukraine' 1942

 

Unknown photographer
Executions of Kiev Jews by German army mobile killing units (Einsatzgruppen) near Ivangorod Ukraine. A woman protects a child with her body as Einsatzgruppen soldiers aim their rifles
1942

 

Executions of Kiev Jews by German army mobile killing units (Einsatzgruppen) near Ivangorod Ukraine. The photo was mailed from the Eastern Front to Germany and intercepted at a Warsaw post office by a member of the Polish resistance collecting documentation on Nazi war crimes. The original print was owned by Tadeusz Mazur and Jerzy Tomaszewski and now resides in Historical Archives in Warsaw. The original German inscription on the back of the photograph reads, “Ukraine 1942, Jewish Action [operation], Ivangorod.”

 

 

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