The Alchemists: Rediscovering Photography in the Age of the Jpeg is a major collaboration between the ANU School of Art, Sydney College of the Arts and the Australian Centre for Photography.

Co-curated by Dr Martyn Jolly, Head of the ANU School of Art Photography and Media Arts Workshop, the exhibition is complimented with a symposium, masterclass and digital publication, and will be shown at the Australian Centre for Photography from 30 October to 6 December 2015.

The international survey looks at current artists who explore the optical and chemical fundamentals of photography, considering the importance of experimental darkroom processes within the context of contemporary and digital practices.

School of Art graduates Lisa Clunie, Lucinda Eva-May and Matt Higgins, as well as current PhD students C. J. Taylor and Sawit Prasertphan are included in the exhibition.

In association with the exhibition and in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia and the eminent photography historian Professor Geoffrey Batchen, the ANU School of Art will be holding a master class with photographers from Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia in early December.

Participants will examine iconic works from the National Gallery of Australia’s photographic collection and then have the opportunity to experiment with digital contact negatives and alternative processes in the Photography and Media Arts darkrooms and digital laboratories. This master class is now fully booked.