Ans westra biography definition

She experienced the world in photographs long before she picked up a camera. Ans Westra: A Life in Photography is an attempt to understand a woman who preferred to remain invisible behind her ever-present Rolleiflex. Whether the subjects are kids playing with joyful abandon in a state-house backyard, kuia pressing their faces close in a hongi, wary middle-class onlookers at a Miss New Zealand parade or Mongrel Mob convention-goers, she had an instinct for the telling glance and gesture, the moment of connection.

Westra was the only child of a fractious marriage, often alone during the war years. After her parents right, with Ans divorced, her mother married a man who turned out to be a paedophile, an episode Westra describes with elliptical detachment. Inshe travelled to New Zealand, aged 21, to join her father, who had emigrated here. She was not sure herself, and so it is left to our imagination.

Westra was always attuned to glances, looks and gestures. You can see this in Public barbut nowhere more so than at another race meeting where, in a clash of fashion and social values, a group of punters clearly express their feelings about the hippy-style dress of the foreground woman. The s were a time of protest and Ans Westra was out on the streets photographing so many demonstrations that her name is often linked to protest photography.

She claimed to be apolitical, but it is difficult not to imagine that she was sympathetic to many of the causes. Even so, perhaps demonstrations were mainly attractive to her for their photographic opportunities. And they offered a licence — photography was expected, no offence taken. But Westra knew how to seek out interesting faces in the crowd and find telling interactions between people in close-up.

Westra responded by gradually shifting to other photographic fields. Ans Westra, [Woman with arms spread in a changing room.

Ans westra biography definition

Te Papa O. She also produced large-scale prints like Blossom below. In the hands of a younger contemporary photographer, an image like this that seems straight off a chocolate box or greeting card could only be intended as ironic. The last time I saw Ans — in — she was taking photographs at her Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom exhibition opening from her wheelchair.

That makes a career spanning six decades of photographing people in candid situations. Nobody in this country matches that sort of record. With warmth, compassion, and an eye for the human moment, she persistently photographed New Zealanders in their everyday lives. They are empathetic, warm, and affirm human values. Catching the right moment in full swing.

One that sums up an emotion. Ans Westra, Trentham Race Course. From the series: Notes on the country I live in, s; Wellington. Inshe received an honorary doctorate from Massey University, recognising her contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand photography and culture. A museum dedicated to her work was established in Wellington in association with the dealer gallery Suite in The league requested its withdrawal from schools, and soon after its release the journal was withdrawn by order of the Minister of Education at the request of the league.

Later in Washday at the Pa was republished privately by the Caxton Presswith 20 additional photographs. In Maori was published with photography by Westra and text by James Ritchie. Baxter and Tim Shadbolt. In an archive of Westra's negatives was established at the Alexander Turnbull LibraryWellington. In Westra was the subject of a 71 minute documentary directed by Luit Bieringa.

The book's interviews and photographs of 37 individuals give insights into the lives of Asian Muslims in New Zealand. Washday at the Pa was reissued in by Suite Publishing to include other photos of the same family taken in Between February and AprilWestra undertook her Full Circle Tour to revisit centres where she had been particularly active during her career.

Inthe digitization of Westra's archive of negatives held at the Alexander Turnbull LibraryWellington, came into effect through her representative, Suite Tirohanga. Around 10, of Westra's ans westra biography definition prints are held in the collection of Te Papa. On 20 Aprila museum in Wellington was established, dedicated to Westra's work.

An attempt to rectify this, ininvolved the Suite Gallery in Wellington and Westra's family. Photos taken by Westra, appearing on bill boards and on social media in Wellington, encouraged people to get in touch if they knew the identities of the sitters. In Westra returned to the Netherlands to live until Westra was diagnosed with bipolar disorderand later in life developed dementia.

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