Accomplished photographer and Caboolture local, David Hicks, will present his debut photographic exhibition ‘From the Desert to the Sea’ at Caboolture Regional Art Gallery this month.
One of twelve art exhibitions selected by a panel of professional staff members to feature at the Hub Gallery as part of Uplift - a program designed to highlight emerging and established artists with connections to the Moreton Bay region – ‘From the Desert to the Sea’ is a collection of images capturing the beauty of Australia's vast landscape.
Featuring images of Moreton Bay and Brisbane used in David’s Diploma of Photo Imaging online exhibition, and images taken on a two-week, 5,000 kilometre trip through outback Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, the collection is a love letter to David’s favourite photography genre – landscape.
“For the online exhibition, I had a really good collection of images that covered everything in the Moreton Bay Region from Mt Mee down to Bribie Island and around the Redcliffe area,” explains David. “I incorporated the images from my outback trip, and decided to call the exhibition ‘From the Desert to the Sea’.”
The outback trip, taken in July last year, saw David travel through iconic remote towns and far off the beaten track in the pursuit of pictures.
“The three key places I wanted to go to were Cameron Corner, Innamincka and Birdsville, so I looked at different ways of getting to them. I sat down with a map and did lots of planning, and found a couple of spots that I’d never heard of like Currawinya National Park which was amazing.”
David’s favourite image from the exhibition (pictured) is of a huge granite boulder formation ‘The Granites’ located within Currawinya National Park. The panoramic, aerial still image was taken using a drone at approximately 15 metres altitude, and is comprised of three separate shots merged together using Photoshop.
“It is my favourite photo because of its [The Granites] sheer beauty. It is not a very well-known place, but something about it just resonated with me, which I find hard to explain. I really am looking forward to going back one day with my family.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council Lifestyle and Amenity Spokesperson Councillor Matt Constance said, “David’s accomplished photographic landscapes add to the mix of artists and visual art forms programmed for The Hub Gallery in 2018.
“The works featured in his exhibition will be a mixture of landscapes from the region, as well as images captured on his travels, giving visitors the opportunity to see both the familiar and unfamiliar through David’s lens.”
A member of the Australian Army Band Corps (AABC) for 16 years, David credits his experience behind the lens as unit photographer for much of his development as a photographer.
“Once they [Army] knew I had photography skills, they had me doing unit photography whenever we’d go out. If I wasn’t playing trombone I’d be taking photos, so I’ve pretty well done military imaging my whole army career.”
In September last year, David left full-time Army service to concentrate on building his photography business. Now serving in a part-time capacity in the Army Reserve as a multimedia technician and public affairs photographer, David will be involved with public affairs for Defence throughout the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“I wanted to maintain my military skills, and I was fortunate to get a Reserve position. My goal is to go back to full-time service as a public relations photographer which would mean moving to Canberra.”
A husband and father of six, David is thankful for the support his family have provided while he has pursued his passion for photography.
“My family has put up with a fair bit. Many a time, my wife Catherine would be about to serve up dinner, and I’d look outside and see this wonderful sky and say, ‘Sorry I’m going to go outside and take some photos.’
“When you’re a photographer you’ve got to be there. If you’re not there, you don’t get the shot. And that’s what I love about photography - capturing the moment. I can look at a photo taken 10 years ago, and I can instantly remember that at that time I had six toddlers and where we were.”
Images from the exhibition will be available for sale, with David pledging ten per cent of the proceeds to Legacy, a charity providing services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service.
To see examples of David’s work visit www.davehicksphotography.com
WHEN: 20 March 2018 - 21 April 2018
TIME: Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 4.00pm Saturday: 9.00am - 3.00pm
WHERE: Caboolture Regional Art Gallery The Hub Gallery 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture
COST: Free