Ballarat International Foto Biennale

Ballarat is exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from the 20ft copper doors of QT Melbourne. Or 15 minutes more if you enjoy a spot of public transport. It’s well worth the journey as well. Not only is it a rather large Victorian regional centre, it’s also about to host the Ballarat International Foto Biennale; it’s lining up to be an absolute corker.

I’m sure you know this already because you have a knack for hot cultural tidbits, though it does need to be pointed out and then highlighted, David LaChapelle is coming to Australia for the first time ever to show off his fine skill in with his photography artwork.

We here at QT Melbourne are readying ourselves for a road trip to the Ballarat Biennale and we think you should do the same, cause it DAVID BLOODY LACHAPELLE!

The man’s work has been gracing the human condition since the 80’s with hyper-real aesthetic social mirrors that smack you square in the noggin.

Is he maybe the modern day Warhol? Close to it. Warhol actually gave him his first job as a photog for Interview Magazine. LaChapelle has that sweet ability to fuck with pop culture consumerism while showing respect to his idols. Something that even on paper is a tough task.

With over 30 years of prolific work to show the island nation, the Ballarat Biennale will be hosting all the good work for the next month (August 19 to September 17) along with a stack of events that will transform the country town into a mecca of photography.

Be sure to set aside some time to get up into the area, this exhibition is a rarity and something not to be missed, even if it is out of town.

For more information on the full lineup, head HERE.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale runs from August 19 – September 17.

image david lachapelle, Jesus is my homeboy, 2003

words by ben stephens