“Somewhere in Jaffa”, there is a photographer’s paradise
Paradise can spring from any avenue, and that includes countries that a ravaged by war. In the case of Israel and Palestine, the war may be long and complicated, but the towns surrounding the chaos are still standing and running, despite this supposed animosity between the Jews, Christians and Arab Muslims. Photographer Nathan “Natti” Miller has come out firing with his latest photography exhibition Somewhere in Jaffa which reflects on life in the southern region of Tel Aviv in a town called Jaffa.
Jaffa’s past dates all the way back to biblical times, having been dominated by leaders such as Saladin, King Richard and Napoleon Bonaparte. Today, Jaffa is now a precinct of Tel Aviv, one of the largest cities in Israel. Miller, who grew up on the Northern side of Tel Aviv, did not have a huge desire to visit Jaffa until one year when he was forced to stay there as he could not find a place to stay in Tel Aviv. From the moment he stayed in Jaffa, Nathan fell in love with the town and has been back many times to visit.
This exhibition, Somewhere in Jaffa, is his homage to the town that brought him such love and joy, and is a way for him to break the stigma surrounding the area and show the loving people and the vibrant town.
The nature of the photographs themselves are extraordinary. They are a simple black and white, nothing to distract the eye, and depict the people moving around their town in such a natural way. The subjects of each photo are relaxed; they aren’t too posy nor do they look like their position has been forced. They look like they are just carrying out their normal everyday lives and their just happens to be a photographer taking their picture. They are incredibly relatable to our own lives; the man sitting outside his knick knack shop is your grandfather, the lady drinking a coffee is your sister or the gentlemen gathered around a table are your friends.
Miller described how he got to meet all the subjects of his photos, “I met people over breakfast, in the shops, markets and building sites. Many of these people let me into their thoughts while others, most generously took me into their homes and introduced me to their families. The people of Jaffa are not shy about expressing their opinions.”
Considering where these people are living, the photos are remarkable. Israel is known for it’s long battle with Palestine, with the Jews and Arab Muslims fighting each other over land and power. Media has shown us that these two groups are really not getting along at all, however Miller’s exhibition seems to contradict this idea a bit. In none of the photos are anybody fighting or looking hostile at each other. Everyone seems to just want to get on with their day and live together peacefully.
Miller spoke of his inspiration for his latest photography exhibition. “I just aimed to frame moments as I found them in the streets and homes of the city, hoping to capture the ambiance and the diversity of Jaffa, keeping in mind ethnicity, tradition, the old and the modern.”
“Jaffa is a place of contradictions. There is a cross-culture of embrace and rejection, political left and right, love and hate, traditional and contemporary and all in one small city.”
SOHO Galleries are offering such a quirky little space for this inspirational exhibition. The space feels like an adventure; there are large rooms that a spacious and simple. A staircase takes you up to the next level with the artwork continuing up the walls and flowing into the next space naturally.
I seem to take a liking to the exhibitions that don’t provide a bevy of distractions. I liked SOHO for the lack of music and the natural noise from outside, which complimented the photos as if i was standing in Jaffa myself.
The lighting accent the photographs quite nicely, gently picking up the right points of the photo without drowning it out or causing a reflection. This type of downward lighting also helps lighten up the black and white nature of the photos. This space is simplicity at it’s finest.
I feel this show is one to enjoy on a sunny afternoon with a stroll through the city and down to the chic gallery to enjoy a very thoughtful and positive exhibition that changes your view of a very chaotic part of the world. It’s nice to change your perspective to a positive.
Where: SOHO Galleries, 104 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo
When: exhibition is open now, and will be on until June 5th.
Gallery Opening: 12-6pm, Tues-Sun
No need for a ticket
For more information, check out the SOHO Galleries website here.