Martin van der Wal - Photographer
Based in Sydney, my practice has covered most varieties of photography. The particular emphasis over the past fifteen years, however, has focused on the built environment. Opportunities to work on long term projects from construction to completion on a series of landmark Sydney buildings as well as predevelopment essays on Industrial heritage and social documentation have given me free reign to explore a wide range of genres; action, portraiture, architectural, industrial, interiors, urban context, and others on behalf of clients including Lendlease Developments, Multiplex Developments, Bovis, Leightons, Baulderston and Hornibrook, Frasers Property Group, CharterHall, JonesLangLasalle, Qantas, as well as many other development, design, architectural, and interior clients both large and small. The breadth of experience across multiple genres and location types is a measure of my determination to enjoy all that my chosen medium has to offer. Works are held in the collections of The National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Portrait Gallery, the Holmes à Court Collection and private collections. Publications both Australian and international regularly feature the work. Regular tuition and workshops in the photography of the built environment are held by Martin as part of the FotoRiesel workshop programme.
Major commissions and exhibitions include: * the Renzo Piano Retrospective at the Pompidou, Jan 2000 * the monograph Aurora Place, Renzo Piano, Sydney (Watermark Press, 2001) * Aurora Place exhibitions at Customs House and Tusculum (2003) * 'Big Shots' at Utopia Gallery - portraits of 12 Aboriginal Artists of High Degree (2005) * Construction/completion-Exhibition images Norman Foster's Deutsche Bank Place * Marketing Portfolio for Norman Foster's Fraser Suites at Regent Place (2007) * Commissioned by P.1 for their limited edition Portfolio of Glen Murcutt Works (2005) * Marketing and Construction imagery for Norman Foster's Lumiere at Regent Place (2008) * Construction/completion for a book on Macquarie Banks new James Fitzpatrick building at King Street Wharf. (2007-9) * Completion of a photographic essay celebrating the industrial heritage and 'spirit of place' of Fraser Property Groups old Kent Brewery Broadway site. * Commissioned by EG Funds Management to create a social documentation essay encapsulating the industrial heritage of Allied Flour Mills at Summer Hill prior to closure and redevelopment. * Commissioned by Charter Hall for complete architectural,interior/exterior, documentation of Sydney Wharf Darling Harbour.
Touch the Earth (lightly) Tours
It's great to get out of the city. This is a small group tour of up to four clients going places that only four wheel drive can venture. All locations are selected by Martin for their variety, authenticity, photogenic possibilities, and avoidance of the usual tourist claptrap. Martin's guidance and tuition in all aspects of the photographic craft are part of the tour. Whatever stage you are at in your photographic journey from rank beginner to professional, the tours take you places which will extend your personal vision. All tours are governed by the stringent safety, insurance and sustainability requirements of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Eco-Pass License. Link - Touch Lightly Tours
