Hot on the heels of a successful photographic exhibition staged at SUNSTUDIOS, in Sydney and Melbourne, Wendy McDougall will release ‘it’s only rock’n’roll but I like it…’ Her 192-page book of music photography is a retrospective shot over a 40-year period from 1979 to 2019.
“To me, my photos are like songs. Some have made a big impact and are well known while others have quietly provided happy moments and memories for just a few. Like catchy songs though all these photos never go away but remain in my archive hoping someone might take a look once again” reveals Wendy.
Happily, with the support of Canon Australia, some of Wendy’s favourite images have been collated to appear in this ‘greatest hits’ book of her work.
In 1979, Wendy sold her first photo to one of the biggest bands in Australia, The Angels, and ever since has caught and framed unforgettable pictures of local music legends like Cold Chisel, Paul Kelly, Richard Clapton, Wendy Matthews, Noiseworks, Diesel, Jeff Duff, GANGgajang, Ross Wilson, Mental as Anything and Melinda Schneider, alongside visiting international stars like Tom Jones, Bono and Mick Jagger.
Wendy’s music photography has explored creative paths, moving from vivid live shots that capture fleeting onstage moments of magic to more visually-sophisticated productions that pay homage to art movements like surrealism. Yet always in Wendy’s work there is an ever-present sense of humour and play, as well as a dedicated commitment to open collaboration with those she photographs.
Now, forty years after her first published photograph, we get to see many of the highlights of Wendy’s award-winning collection, fabulous images that helped shape the Australian Music industry.
‘it’s only rock’n’roll but I like it…’ is available to Pre-order online at Wendy’s website where she offers not only the book but deals with special limited edition archival prints not seen in the book, plus the chance to win prints from her exhibition at SUNSTUDIOS.
OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE DATE – 26th November 2019
ABOUT WENDY MCDOUGALL
Wendy McDougall is an award-winning Sydney-based freelance photographer, artist and filmmaker who creates visual imagery designed to entertain, stimulate and educate. McDougall started her photographic career in the music business in 1979, making iconic pictures of Australian music acts. From this, she branched into theatre, film and television as well as documentary photography. McDougall has also created many artworks and has exhibited her work since 1984.
Besides working with musicians, one of her favourite commissions was being one of two official photographers for the Centenary of Federation in 2001. Not only did she document all the events in Sydney on January 1st, including the signing of the historic document by then Prime Minister John Howard and Governor General Sir William Deane, but she went on to document all NSW Federation Towns and events throughout the year. This project culminated in an exhibition at NSW Parliament House and a book of images titled ‘The People’s Celebration – Federation Towns’.
Documentary images by McDougall are held in the collections of National Library of Australia, NSW State Library, Museum of Sydney, and Powerhouse Museum. She continues to photograph musicians and artists in creative industries, work on documentary projects and looks forward to her next exhibition. In 2018, she was the winner of the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) – Music Photographer category, which recognises a current photographer and her body of work.
Wendy will be arranging book signing events at various venues – stay tuned for details.
‘it’s only rock’n’roll but I like it…’ is published by Wendy McDougall with Mega City.
