GemTree Cellar Flat To Present MALE; REAL/IDEAL From 09/7-09/29

A visual testament to the resilience of the modern male, "Male; Real/Ideal" speaks to a society feeling disenfranchised in an organic inability to meet standards of appearance and ability set by media and pervasive celebrity.

Last year Brodie Paparella joined forces with emerging artist and curator Katherine Coppock to bring to life a concept born from a grapple with self-esteem he'd seen amongst his contemporaries, colleagues and friends. Seven photographers and seven everyday men come together to explore concepts of physical prejudice and the resulting effects on men's mental health. This exhibition will be repeated this September at GemTree winery as part of the City of Onkaparinga's Shimmer Photographic festival, running from the 29th of August to the 29th of September 2014.

'We are realising that male self-esteem is now taking as strong a hit from media and social expectations as women have experienced the world over since the dawn of advertising.'

'This first exhibition is a tribute to men who were born thin, and don't fit within the muscular, stocky and athletic Australian male we've all been brought up to aspire to. We just are how we are, and it appears that modern men are struggling to comprehend or accept that'

With her entire artistic career seeking out the inventive, innovative and subliminal, this project really excited Kat Coppock, Curator of Soundpond gallery and freelance Visual Artist.

"It is a great opportunity to be a part of the Shimmer Photographic Festival, as it increases exposure of both this project and the issues surrounding it to an audience that would not normally make it into the CBD to view an exhibition of this nature."

Kat will also present the next stage of this project at Shimmers' live crowd funding event PITCHERThis, where the audience votes on from a selection of local photographic projects as to who will receive profits from the entry fee towards their next project.

"The idea of Male:Real/Ideal was always to tour it around Australia, working with local photographers and 'models' (real men) from each capital city to create a true snapshot of the way Australian men feel about their bodies. I'm really excited about competing for the chance to take this project on its next leg to Darwin and work with those communities on their ideas. Eventually we will collate all of the gathered stories into a book and massive art exhibition to promote to people that it's okay to be who you are in your skin."

For further information or to arrange interviews with participants, contact Kat Coppock on 0406017605 or at http://zaliness@gmail.com or Brodie Paparella on 0414 094 884 or via email http://brodiejpk@yahoo.com.au.

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