For the first time ever PACT centre for emerging artists will be transformed from a theatre space into an all-encompassing photo installation inspired by gothic cathedral spires. PACT: The Passion & The Whimsy invites the broader community in to share in the artists' experience, celebrating and de-mystifying the inner world of a theatre as a creative micro-community dedicated to courageous, experimental and challenging artistic practices.

Matthew has been with PACT centre for emerging artists as their "Photographer in Residence" since 2011 and has pushed his practice through capturing the nature and dynamics of artistic development within the walls of PACT. He has been in and out of rehearsals, productions, shows and events of the PACT community and has caught some of the most amazing shots of our emerging artists "coming out of the shadows".

Featuring images of artists such as Natalie Abbott, Alice Mary Cooper, Bron Batten, Matthew Day, ... and more, who will only be revealed in the exhibition. This is your opportunity to bring the artists that have walked, danced, hung, screamed and more back into our space. PACT: The Passion & The Whimsy is our chance to take our hats off to an environment that has developed the practice of many artists.

It will be held from 15 - 17 May 2013 and will be an associated event as part of the Head On Festival.

"In a space that offers so much to so many, it's a chance to contribute back to the community" (Matthew Duchesne)

The money raised will go toward the costs of  installation, production (making, climbing, designing, dreaming and more) and opening night festivities. It takes a lot to bring something like this together, Matthew, the PACT staffies and the artists have been working on the sheer belief and love of the community. This exhibition will allow PACT centre for emerging artists to be a stand out event in association with the 2013 Head On Festival.

About the Photo Book
As part of the exhibition Matthew Duchesne has produced a beautiful momento of his residency that contains more images as well as essays from the Groundwork crew and Artistic Director, Cat Jones.

About Matthew Duchesne
Matthew has a Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Film and Television degree from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. While based in Sydney, Matthew is a highly acclaimed portrait photographer who has also been engaged by a variety of clients interstate, as well as in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Matthew has won numerous state and national awards from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and his work was included in the Fuji ACMP Collection 10. Matthew was a winner of the 2007 “Head On, Alternative Portrait Exhibition” national portrait prize. His work was also exhibited as runner-up for the 2008, 2009 and 2011 Head On, Alternative Portrait Exhibitions. Matthew was also a semi-finalist in the 2011 Moran Photographic Prize exhibition. In 2012 Matthew was invited to participate in the AddOn exhibition as part of the head On Photo Festival.