Chelsea SIPTHORPE

‘Travelling show - Melbourne Italian Festival - Photography’

GALLERY:                       Balcony & Small Galleries
PREVIEW:                       Sunday June 7th 2.30pm 2009
EXHIBITION DATES:     Opens 7th June 2009 | Closes 30th June 2009

Photographer, Chelsea Sipthorp was born in Melbourne 1976 and has lived in Queensland, London, Monaco and Switzerland. She first studied for a Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood, working in Queensland as a pre-school teacher, which led to a teaching posting overseas based in London's Notting Hill, followed by other offers in Europe. An international Nanny position became available with an opportunity to study French in Nice, whilst based in Monaca. A few years later she moved to a small town in the Swiss Alps.
Chelsea has returned to Australia after seven years abroad and this is her first solo exhibition and follows the challenging project that Chelsea undertook of the Old Macaroni Factory in the past 12 months.

"Reflecting on my time in Europe, in particular the Swiss Italian region, it was wonderful to reconnect with the architecture, art and history of this historic Italian icon in Hepburn Springs, Australia. After spending time with Maria and her family at the restaurant and museum I learned of the original story of a refugee family that fled to Australia during a politically difficult time in Italy. Their memories of beautiful Italy can be revisited through their intricate and vivid frescoes that I've photographed. It's incredible to think that this building has remained within the family after six generations. I feel honoured to have captured these images for the 150 year celebrations." - Chelsea Sipthorp