Life through Rennie's lens...

"Without my photography life would be boring. Photography adds an extra dimension to my life. Somehow it confirms my place in the world"

Rennie Ellis is an award winning photographer and writer with 17 books to his credit. His photographs have been widely exhibited in Australia and overseas and his work has been acquired by various collections around the world.

We were lucky enough to feature Ellis' image of Rosaleen Norton "The Witch of Kings Cross" in our Exotica issue, and we wanted to share more of his intriguing and evocative work on the Telegram.

Rennie Ellis saw his photographic excursions as a series of encounters with other people's lives. His photos can be as straight-forward and blatant as a head-butt or infused with enigmatic subtleties that draw on the nuance of gesture and the significance of ritual. Often his images ask more questions than they answer.

It's been said that the urge to preserve is the basis of all art. When pushed to make a value judgement on his own photography - is it art, social realism, photojournalism or slice-of-life indulgence? - Ellis replied with a quote from the pioneering American photographer Alfred Stieglitz: "Art or not art, that is immaterial - I continue on my own way, seeking my own truth, ever affirming today"

This evening in Melbourne, The Pass~Port and Rennie Ellis Archive will launch the collaboration celebrating the work of the iconic Australian photographer, and share it with a diverse audience of skateboarders, creatives and admirers.

When Trent Evans, founder of Pass~Port, first came across Rennie’s work, he felt an immediate connection to the people, places and moments documented. The youthfulness, playfulness, and unique Australianness of each image echoed the spirit Trent has channeled in Pass~Port since the brand’s inception. The collaboration of skateboards and apparel is intended as a reminder to a younger generation to go out and be daring, explore and push the envelope; just like Rennie.

We live in a time not unlike before. A moment where change is on our nose and solidarity is more important than ever. The freedom echoing in Rennie’s work should reflect our current spirit. Attitudes still need to change. It is still a time to pioneer and continue to define our cultural identity, with soul, honesty and, of course, the whole of community.

Find out more about the collaboration and the launch this evening by clicking here!