Carol Jerrems

(1949-1980)

[Judy Morris smoking on the set of "In Search of Anna"], c.1977

Footnotes

PROVENANCE
Storm Productions Pty Ltd, Sydney
Esben Storm Estate, Sydney

EXHIBITED
Carol Jerrems (1949-1980): Photographic Artist, Josef Lebovic Gallery, 3 December 2016 - 11 February 2017, cat. 20

An important group of rare photographs by Carol Jerrems

The following lots (63-71) represent some of the most iconic images by Carol Jerrems (1949-1980), Australia's outstanding photographic artist of the counter-culture era of the 1960s-1970s. A new style of photography appeared in the sixties. The medium in various guises spoke directly to the younger generation through surreal pop photography featured in British and American rock magazines, album covers, music clips on TV and, for the more adventurous, the offbeat 'new wave' European films and edgy American personal-documentary style photography shows by the likes of Diane Arbus and Lee Friedlander. So, it is not surprising that Carol Jerrems, a suburban Melbourne high school graduate with an interest in art and music, chose to enrol in the new photographic art and experimental film courses at Prahran Technical School from 1967 to 1970. At Prahran, Jerrems' teachers included soulful European filmmaker Paul Cox, who wanted psychological depth not commercial, slick, studio photography, and who was the first to recognise her talent. While still a student, Jerrems generated a remarkable body of work and designed her own photographic stamp: 'Carol Jerrems, Photographic Artist.' Jerrems began exhibiting in 1970 and by 1976 had had several group and solo shows, awards, a newspaper profile, and works acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria and National Gallery of Australia.

The images in this catalogue originate from Jerrems' student and teaching days and the collaboration between Jerrems and former boyfriend, filmmaker Esben Storm (1950-2011). Jerrems was the stills photographer on Storm's innovative 1978 feature In Search of Anna, which has a respected place in the development of Australia's distinctive contemporary style of cinema. Storm and Jerrems had been lovers since 1972. The film is a road movie in which the male protagonist Tony (played by Richard Moir), recently released from gaol, searches for a past love until realising that his travel companion Sam (played by Judy Morris) is his true love. The experimental filming and poetic romance of the film might seem to have been a perfect collaboration for the young and talented photographer and filmmaker, but the relationship ended with the film. The archive from In Search of Anna can now be reviewed as part of a unique relationship between photographer and film maker, amplified by the glimpse into Carol Jerrems' passion for her medium.

Gael Newton