Although Ans is be best remembered for her poignant documentation of life in Aotearoa New Zealand, her astute observations of other people and cultures deepened her interest in wider social and political matters.
On show from 1-20 November will be photographs from two significant bodies of work made in the mid-1980's:
New York City (1987): 1–10 November
The Philippines (1986): 11–20 November
In 1986, Ans won the regional competition in the Commonwealth Photography Award and the £1,000 prize money enabled her to travel to the Philippines later that year. Ans was drawn to the unfamiliar landscapes, cultures and ethnicities which she photographed extensively. While in the Philippines, Ans also undertook two commissions, one for UNICEF and the other for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The following year Ans travelled to New York City. By this time, she had veered from the territory of art photography and towards political documentary and had made a shift from observation to intervention when it came to certain social issues.
To accompany this exhibition, and commenting on our place in the world, International Legal Academic, Professor Alexander Gillespie will give a talk at {Suite} on 7 November, just days after the US election, discussing the result, and the implications for New Zealand. Introduced by {Suite} Director David Alsop.