John Gollings, Melbourne General Cemetery, 2015, photography, aerial photography
Summary
John Gollings is one of Australia's leading architectural photographers. In 2015, he took this photograph of Melbourne General Cemetery, located on University Crescent in Parkville, from the vantage point of a helicopter. He tells the story that it was a gloomy day and that after circling for some time he still hadn't got his shot. Just as low fuel was demanding a return to base, the clouds opened and he was presented with this dramatic lighting.
Opened in 1853, the cemetery was designed as a large public park. Wide curving paths separate its different areas, as can be clearly seen in the photograph. Copses of trees and individual outliers disrupt the symmetry of these separated sections and their many plots, but they also draw the eye to the heart of this beautiful historical burial ground.
Acquired from the Centre for Contemporary Photography in 2015, this inkjet print was part of a group exhibition at the centre, showing photographic works focused on the cemetery. The image was also shown in the exhibition 'Going Viral', curated by Bruce Copland for the City Gallery during February–April 2016, which explored the history and impact of contagious disease experienced in Melbourne.
