Award-winning art series 'The Regal Twelve' on exhibit at University
Critically acclaimed artist and Masters of Fine Art (Photography) student Alexia Sinclair will exhibit her award winning photographic portraiture series 'The Regal Twelve' from today at The University Gallery.
'The Regal Twelve' series is a suite of pictures depicting historical females who have ruled their kingdoms, including Marie Antoinette, Queen Elizabeth I and Cleopatra.
It combines photography, illustration, European backdrops, fashion models, historical treasures and symbolic references, digitally montaged to create works based on historical truths.
Sinclair, 31, said the exhibition was the culmination of three years work.
"The photographs invite the viewer on a beguiling journey of imagined worlds that are actually based on historical truth," she said.
"I want people to ponder the fate of these fascinating powerful women as many of their voices have not been heard.
"The montaging of layers of photographs mimics the perfection of Renaissance painters - the way they approached painting is the way I approach photography.
"My influences range from Botticelli and de' Medici circle to contemporary couture fashion designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. All of the portraits are inspired by the styles and fashions of each monarch and are reinterpreted into a contemporary visual narrative."
In May this year Sinclair won the inaugural Harpers BAZAAR and Canon fashion photography award, with the pictures receiving acclaim for their professional finish and highly stylised looks.
Sinclair has been working as a fine art photographer and digital artist for over a decade and now works as a freelance artist on campaigns and commissions including working as a digital artist in New York.
Her previous works include the Women of the World series (Australia) in which she profiles University of Newcastle graduates Rowena and Juliana Foong, two of the three Foong sisters behind the fashion label High Tea With Mrs Woo.
The series also features fellow University of Newcastle graduate Gillian Bencke, the creator of Bencke, a label of wearable art and dolls.
'The Regal Twelve' will be shown at The University Gallery, Callaghan campus, the University of Newcastle, on 9/10 and 16/17 August from midday - 6pm. The official opening will be held Friday 10 August from 6 - 7.30pm.
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