General News
1 February, 2023
Returning the favour for “special” Terang
THE spirit of Terang captured through the lens of photographer Christina de Water has seen dozens of photographs delivered across the community over the holidays.
THE spirit of Terang captured through the lens of photographer Christina de Water has seen dozens of photographs delivered across the community over the holidays.
Ms de Water joined the Terang community in 2021 as part of the Commercial Hotel’s artist in residence program.
As her infatuation with the town grew, so too did her desire to extend her stay to photograph the community, its residents and landscapes alike, with no plan or concept.
Over time the desire to capture “the spirit of the community” became the foundation for Ms de Water’s ‘Postcards from Terang’ exhibition, which launched in April 2022.
The exhibition was comprised of almost 200 photographs, taken only in natural lighting with no editing, featuring a wide variety of locals.
Ms de Water said her time in Terang had left such an indelible mark on her that she set about delivering more than 50 of the photographs to those she had captured.
“I gave a lot of the photos away, just visiting people’s houses and leaving them on tables or out the front with a little note,” she said.
“I felt that exhibition needed to stay in Terang because of the historical value of photographing so many people, and giving them a little bit of Terang back in their pockets.
“I felt that was my way of giving back because it was such an incredible time and build up.
“Everyone was so supportive, and all sorts of adventures occurred because I drove in that day with a camera, two lenses, clothes and some books and started taking photographs seven days and seven nights.”
In addition, a wide variety of the photographs were sold to those wanting to keep the captured moments for others to enjoy.
“The Terang Racing Club was expanding with more women getting in to racing, so the club ordered more photographs of the women involved in racing to celebrate that growth,” Ms de Water said.
“Things like that were just great, especially knowing most of it stayed in Terang.”
Ms de Water said experiencing the connections and friendliness of community had left a lasting mark on her.
“The amount of people who were so excited to see a niece, nephew, uncle or grandparent captured in the photo was delightful,” she said.
“Some of the exhibition was during the holidays, so many of the people who came through recognised someone, and word spread for them to come down and have a look, which just kept going.
“It was just beautiful; you saw what the community means to each other.
“There is something special about Terang; the town is very endearing in that way.”
Ms de Water’s latest adventure has seen her relocate to Anglesea, where she is teaching youth photography classes.