Australia’s most significant photography festival, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, is back in Victoria celebrating The Real Thing.
The highly anticipated Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) is making its fabulous return to the Victorian town of Ballarat, celebrating art, photography, conversation, and community.
Since its inception in 2005, over 240,000 people have come through the various exhibitions on display. Now in its 10th iteration, RACV is proud to partner with BIFB to showcase a series of events, classes and exhibitions by renowned photographers from around the globe.
Mardi Nowak, Head of Visual Arts RACV and curator of BIFB’s presence at the RACV Goldfields Resort, says she is “particularly excited” to bring so many diverse art elements that hopefully resonate with visitors on many different levels.
“This is the first time that we have co-produced exhibitions with the festival and made a small arts hub at Creswick,” she says.
“From exhibitions, art inspired food, and hands on activities, RACV Goldfields will be about all things art and photography for the next 60 days.”
Each iteration of BIFB focuses on a centralised theme, with both local and international photographers taking part. This year, the focus is on The Real Thing, which BIFB describes as ‘a provocation and a nostalgic call to come and see what is real.’
The festival will feature over 2,000 works of art from more than 150 artists around 100-odd venues in the City of Ballarat.
BIFB will premiere international exhibits such as People Power – Platon, 120 portraits of people who have ‘shaped our world,’ from Michelle Obama to Prince, Putin, and Vivienne Westwood; and the esteemed Instant Warhol collection of 56 original Polaroid portraits from the man himself.
A favourite of Mardi’s, she says Warhol’s images of celebrities showcase “a great way to look back at a pre-digital camera world of capturing portraits instantly.”
As well as photographic exhibitions, the festival will be putting on workshops, masterclasses, trivia, tours, competitions, a kids hub, talks, walks, performances and more.
“What we have tried to achieve is a sense of discovery and curiosity for the Goldfields program,” says Mardi.
“I hope that people come away with a new appreciation of photography, and have discovered some new artists,” she says.
“This year’s program also includes artists from all over the world, so it’s a great way to delve into different ideas and social issues.”
Here’s everything to know before visiting this year’s Ballarat International Foto Biennale.
RACV Members receive 15% off Festival Passes with the code RACV2023.