Introducing Ann Shelton
Ann Shelton is one of New Zealand’s leading photographic artists. Robert Leonard describes her iconic photobook Redeye (Rim Books, Dewi Lewis 1997) as a social diary in which “Shelton’s crew fancied themselves Warholesque superstars and flaming creatures, walking on the wild side.” Since Redeye Shelton has continued to exhibit and publish internationally. Her books are inventive; mixing archival material, creative writing and imagery. Shelton’s 2015 photobook, A Spoonful of Sugar, explores the forces of banking, gender politics, ghosts and architecture.
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki hosted Shelton’s mid-career review exhibition Dark Matter: Ann Shelton, (2016) and toured the exhibition to Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū (2017).
Shelton’s most recent research engages with plant narratives and histories, in particular the intersection of these histories with human knowledge systems. Her work will feature at the forthcoming PHOTO 2020 International Festival of Photography in Melbourne.
www.annshelton.com/artist-books-and-monographs
A Spoonful of Sugar
In 1957 Nancy Martin staked out a humble claim to fame in an act both mundane and extraordinary—obtaining a mortgage to build her own home. Purportedly the first single woman to do so in Wellington, Nancy is listed on her mortgage as a spinster.
The forces of banking, gender politics, ghosts, and architecture flow through this project—their confluence made visible in Nancy’s house.
With a text by Pip Adam.
Photo credit: Bonnie Beattie, Portrait of Ann Shelton.