10 years through the lens

More than 10 years ago USQ photographer and local photo journalist David Martinelli photographed his son’s preschool class. Now, as the 22 Emmanuel Early Education Centre students embark on teenage life, they have once again been in front of the camera for David’s latest exhibition Looking Forward.

In 2000 David produced A Day in the Life of a Preschooler photography essay that captured a single day in August. A thirty piece essay was then exhibited in December in a room adjacent to the Preschool classroom.

David was prompted to revisit the project after he found a CD of the images taken in 2000.

'Recently I came across a CD of those images and upon reflection, realised that it had been 10 years since I had produced that essay. After a discussion with my son, it was at this point that I decided to revisit this project and find out what these children had become as people,' he said.

'I asked the kids to determine how they would like to be portrayed in the image and to write a small piece on their hopes, dreams and identities. They then selected a number of photographs they liked best to feature in the exhibition.'

David said he had received an overwhelmingly positive response from parents and colleagues.

'They have loved the concept. They have all expressed that they are looking forward to seeing how the children have become young adults, thus the title of the exhibition.'

David has worked as a professional photographer for more than 15 years and his work has been featured in a variety of places including State and National newspapers.

The Looking Forward Exhibition opened on Sunday 11 December at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and will run until 8 January 2012.

For more information please contact the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery on 07 4688 6652.

Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, 07 4631 2977