Thursday 21 January 2016

Our Current Exhibition ....


‘The Mill in Focus – Then and Now’ showcases photographs of the Mill and photographic technique from a number of different eras. The exhibition will appeal to both those who are keen on photography and those who are interested in local heritage. 

The Onkaparinga Woollen Mill Museum has provided a series of photographs from the early 1900’s which give a fascinating insight into the early days of the operation of the woollen mill. The evocative sepia toned images show the large industrial weaving machinery used in blanket manufacturing and the workers that operated them in the 1920’s and 30’s.

Also on display are Black and White photographs taken by local residents & mill workers under direction of photographer Rick Martin, in the 1990’s. These haunting images capture a poignant moment in time – the operation of the Woollen Mills just prior to its closure. The photographs were last exhibited at the ‘Through the Mill’ exhibition, held at the Woollen Mills in 1993.

The black and white photographs of the Mill also reflect a pivotal time in the history of photography.  The advent of the digital ‘point and shoot’ camera occurred in the 1990’s and there was a subsequent decline in the use of SLR cameras.

Modern techniques of digital manipulation and enhancement have been used by 3 of the 6 local artists exhibiting contemporary photographs in the exhibition. Ali Moylan, Stuart Templeton and Martin Jaeger have submitted works which utilise digital techniques such as time stacks & double exposures.

Shaylee Knight, John Marlow and Harry Marlow have each taken a more traditional approach, with portraiture and a focus on architectural features of the Mill.

The exhibition will be open 11.30am – 5pm from Thursday January 21st, to  Sunday 24th 
and Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st January in building 35 of the old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills.

The official opening will be by Gavin Blake, director of the Centre for Creative Photography on Sat 23rd January, 3.30pm – 5.00pm. All are welcome.

The Mill in Focus – Then and Now’ photography exhibition is part of a Pop up Gallery which over the next 6 months will utilise empty spaces within the Onkaparinga Woollen Mill complex and/or Lobethal main street. The project aims to increase tourism and support local artists by providing opportunities for them to exhibit their work locally. 

Funding for equipment to operate the pop up gallery was made available through the FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) Small Grants program. Adelaide Hills Council are supporting access to venues. The Centre for Creative Photography, Atkins Technicolour and Tilbrook Estate Wines are also exhibition sponsors.


The exhibition coincides with the Crush weekend and so we are hoping that people will drop by to take a look whilst visiting their favorite winery.