FUJI ACMP COLLECTION: WHERE NEXT?

Milton Wordley

After a visit to the UK back in 1992, North Sullivan developed the concept for an ongoing and permanent collection of Australian advertising and commercial photography.

Somehow he convinced Fuji to part with large sums of folding green and the ACMP Fuji Collection had its humble beginnings.

We should never forget that if it hadn't been for North's stubbornness in refusing to let a great idea die and for the ongoing support from Fuji, Canon, Vision Graphics, Tunnel Hill Wines and Boags Beer, The Collection would not exist -- remember that, next time you are in a bar or buying a roll of film!

Milton Wordley, the current Chairman of The Collection Committee, has contributed this article.

What exactly was it that North had in mind? I quote from his initial guidelines:

"The Collection will showcase the best of Australian contemporary photography. It's aim is to reach the widest possible audience via the travelling exhibition; the book and associated publicity.

Its aim is to reach commissioners of photography such as: designers, galleries, collectors, art directors, corporations, enthusiasts, amateurs, students, politicians, bureaucrats, and most importantly the public at large.

The Fuji ACMP Collection will raise the profile of professional photographers in this country and abroad and we will all gain from a better understanding of the photographer's skill and creativity as well as a greater respect for our professionalism.

And very importantly, The Collection will help photographers themselves to value their own profession and have a wider appreciation of their colleagues. Lastly, it is hoped The Collection will provide a focus for us, the working photographers of Australia, on an annual basis and somehow bring us together, right around this country, with the excuse to celebrate the one thing we have in common, 'Great Australian Photography".

We are currently touring Collection 3, (which came in on budget); working on Book 4; (Collection 4 is also coming in on budget); and planning Collection 5. Collection 3 saw the last of the retrospective work, although we have been asked by a number of photographers to reintroduce it.

Collection 4 saw the inclusion of the photographic essay/series category at the suggestion of David Moore. It also saw the inclusion of the Students/Assistant category.

In a relatively short time, we have become a major part of the Australian Photographic calendar.

I think we have fulfilled North's vision but we mustn't sit on our laurels. The next few Collections and their acceptance by the greater communications industry are vital to the long term future of The Collections.

The national launch of Book 4 and exhibition will be in Sydney in October 1998. On the same night, we plan to announce the successful photographers for No 5.

One thing the Federal Board would like to do in the future is organise the sale of Collection prints -- not the actual prints hanging on the wall -- but additional prints. We are currently working out the mechanics of this.

Your Committee:

Milton Wordley, Chairman; David Roche, Treasurer; Jackie Dean, ACMP Federal Board Representative; Grahame Monro, Stewart Crossett, Andrew McCullum, Fuji rep; Our working Committee consists of Phil Fischer, Gavin Blue, Amanda Rainbow, Ellen Camm and Julie Morgan.

Milton Wordley, Fuji ACMP Australian Photographers Collection Chairman

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