NEWS 2017: SEALEVEL - The Art of Awareness is a personal photographic project documenting the ocean at sea level.

2017 PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

A dynamic body of work that has evolved from a lifetime journey of being deeply immersed in the ocean, observing the nuances of light, its complexities and varying interactions with the elements. A project close to my heart, my place of work - reflective images documenting the truth of an event: the invisible nature of climate change.

Driven by the rising sun of possibilities, I’m at the waters edge before dawn, at sea level wherever I am on the planet.

Through my lens I’ve captured magical moments, dancing light and glimpses of the sea – a personality so expressive that each image is beyond unique in tone and form.

My wish is to bring awareness to one of the major environmental issues of our time, the global event of climate change and the silent rise in our sea level through the medium of Fine Art Photography.

It’s my pleasure to announce that this SEALEVEL Exhibition Series is being presented as Limited Edition prints. Photographic images that are purely abstract by nature featuring subtle expressions of colour play with a myriad of hues reflecting the mood of each new day.

IN THE PRESS

Water photographer Ted Grambeau is exhibiting his latest documentary series of Limited Edition Fine Art photography prints at the Stanley Street Gallery. Nestled in Sydney’s inner city art precinct of Darlinghurst, his latest collection features as part of Australia’s most prestigious photographic event, the Head On Photo Festival.

“Photography is more than a passion, it is my Life.”

For over forty years, Melbourne born Ted Grambeau has been consumed by his quest to capture the world through his lens. This obsession has led him on a journey to nearly 100 countries and exhausted over a dozen passports.

Known for leading adventure expeditions into remote locations in search of undiscovered waves, Grambeau is most at home deeply immersed in the ocean.

With formal studies in Illustrative photography at RMIT University in Melbourne, Grambeau communicates an intimate relationship with ‘light’; a sophisticated understanding of it’s various expressions – the refraction, reflection and absorption. The documentary nature of this project requires that Ted be at the waters edge before dawn, when most of us haven’t even thought about opening our eyes.

When he’s not chasing monster waves half way around the world, he prefers to live by the ocean on the East Coast of Australia. Finding balance, Ted keeps life ‘low key’ but when given the opportunity to share his thoughts on photography an animated creative is revealed. He is inspired by the Masters Henri Cartier-Bresson and Sebastião Salgado. A photojournalist style is expressed in his work after having spent his formative time assisting the great Magnum legend Burt Glinn of New York.

As Ted explains his views on environmental issues, he touches on the frustration he feels towards climate change and the urgency of action that needs to occur before our sea levels rise beyond the point of no return. “The effects will be devastating before we actually notice.” he says.

Ted is one of the world’s great surf and ocean photographers. Over the past 30 or so years he’s had more surf magazine covers than he can remember, his resume of magazine articles, expeditions, movies and books is an afternoons read in anyone’s language. He studies and monitors weather maps and understands the intricacies of an impending swell forecast well in advance. He has travelled to locations that will be lost, submerged under water once the sea levels start to rise due to the change in climate.

He goes on to say, “I’m not an environmental scientist but I respect the opinions of the overwhelming majority of climate scientists in the world.

Excited by the prospects of exhibiting his work again, Ted reflects on the first time he exhibited 'SEALEVEL - The Art of Awareness' at the Pipeline Gallery in Hawaii. Special guests like Kelly Slater and leading environmentalist Jack Johnson came along, with wife Kim selecting a few pieces to hang in their home on the North Shore.

Head On Photo Festival is Australia's most prestigious photography event and one of the world’s leading photography festivals. It is also Australia’s only annual photography festival. Held in Sydney over three weeks, it hosts numerous free events and exhibitions, low-cost workshops and talks led by Australian and international industry professionals and artists. Each year, the Festival presents the works across all genres of over 900 local and international photo-artists at more than 100 venues across Sydney and regional areas.

The festival, presented by the non-profit organisation Head On Foundation has run annually since 2010. www.headon.com.au

Stanley Street Gallery is a vibrant and exciting gallery in the heart of Sydney's Darlinghurst art precinct. With a focus on Australian artists, they also exhibit the work of overseas artists. The gallery hosts a continually changing exhibition calendar and showcases the work of both established and emerging artists. Exhibitions include painting, photography, sculpture, wearable art, ceramics, video, and performance.

The owners and directors of the gallery Merilyn Bailey and Liza Feeney have been involved in the art world for over 30 years. They met at Sydney College of the Arts in 1980 while studying a Visual Arts Degree, both continued their art practice and in 2013 fulfilled their long held ambition to open a gallery together.

The beautiful and relaxed environment of Stanley Street Gallery pleasantly surprises collectors and lovers of art, having discovered one of Sydney’s newest galleries. Once off the street the space opens out onto a beautiful sun filled courtyard and fountain, a hidden oasis in the heart of Sydney. Street parking is available, plus three nearby parking stations and is wheelchair accessible. A good selection of exciting bars, quality restaurants and cafes are also within walking distance. www.stanleystreetgallery.com.au

THANK YOU
To Head On Photo Festival for providing a great platform for photographers to expose their work. To Merilyn and Liza from the Stanley Street Gallery for creating such a special place to hang my exhibition. To Darren and Roger and the entire team at CPL Digital for their professional printing expertise.

To Hamish from In Focus Framing for making each piece a work of art. To Aidan from Moving Art - Professional Fine Art Transport for going above and beyond. To Selina for her concept and creation.

Thanks to Kieran and the good folk at Corona, and my friend Andrea 'Frosty' and Wolf Blass Wines for making opening night just that little bit more special.

Last but not least 'thank you' to my family, dear friends and you for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the exhibition. Ted