I was absolutely delighted to have my photograph included in the recent Manly Clicks Street Exhibition that brought colour and community to the Manly CBD laneway. The project brought Instagram off our phones and onto the walls of our seaside town, with Donny’s Bar hosting the opening night and even creating a rather delicious Manly Clicks cocktail for the occasion.
The Manly Clicks Cocktail at Donny’s Bar alongside Erin Masters’s Photography – discover her gorgeous prints at www.erinmasters.com
Manly Clicks was the creative project brought to life by Alt Manly and supported by Erin Masters, as a way to bring creativity, connection, and cheer to the local Manly community during those dreaded lockdown days. Each week, Manly clicks offered a theme for photographers and hobbyists to get out and about, to stretch their creativity and imagination in a time when we couldn’t do much else.
Co-creators of Manly Clicks Exhibition @ErinMasters and @AltManly with local MP James Griffin NSW Environment and Heritage Minister.
The theme I entered was Black and White, and my winning shot, ‘Turn Away’ really captured the strange essence of the time; an empty mall, mannequins naked and vulnerable, turning away from the world; and a pair of staring eyes observing me in a place I should not have been.
For me, this captured so much of my own emotional and mental health during lock down. I had visited the mall pharmacy for a prescription, ironically, to help support my mental health; it seemed so otherworldly, so apocalyptic to be in a place usually buzzing with life and see it dead and empty. I couldn’t help but take a little wander around, and when I found this shop front, I knew I had my shot.
Turn away, I thought to the mannequins. It was as if they didn’t want to see what was happening in the real world—turning a blind eye. Literally.
These weekly prompts become something to look forward to within the monotony of those long, endless days, and taking part was only half the fun. Watching how others translated the prompts and themes to come up with wholly original ideas was the best part and incredibly inspiring! It built cheer in a time when there was none.
Me, accidentally dressing up as my shot with the Black and White theme, and the awesome creativity of Manly locals.
So, of course, the exhibition brought back these emotions, and on the opening night, the winning photographers and creators talked it through over Donny’s cocktails like a mass therapy session. We shared stories and memories and, in some cases, loopholes (anyone remember the Margi Mile in keep-cups?!). But more than that; we were reminded of the strength of community and the power of the human spirit for overcoming challenges.
And the Manly Clicks Street Exhibition also reminded us of the incredible healing power of creativity.
Personally, meeting people I have been Instagram friends with for years was a beautiful experience and I am so delighted Alt Manly and Erin managed to facilitate the street exhibition. The community art project helped raise awareness to local charities, and helped so many locals through difficult times. And now, in better times, has helped us come together once again, this time in real life!
Thank you Manly Clicks for all your help and support for the local community, and for bringing real life connection and colour to the laneways of the place we all call home.
It’s the Manly spirit. It’s the Manly way. It’s Manly Clicks x
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