What is it with people and bowls?

Bowls. Not bowels. I’ve made that mistake once already today. It’s an easy one to make so don’t start coming down on me.

Last night was FONAS’ auction of artist & celebrity painted bowls to raise money for FONAS… and for those who don’t know… FONAS is Friends Of the National Art School.

Now… I’m not a member. You see, I may have a shiny art degree, but I’m not an artist. I’m barely even a photographer.

But I’ll always help out people at [url=http://www.nas.edu.au/]NAS[/url] if I can, especially if it means helping people who still do a lot there like Damo or Bernie or Ferdie or whoever… and I’ll always go back for my friends who are still there and for my friends who aren’t, I’ll drag them in kicking and screaming (if I have to) to the place they know they secretly love.

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS001.jpg[/img]

But last night I was pretty much there to work… to document the evening and all it’s glory…

Why, there were bowls from artists who taught there and artists who recently graduated and artists who graduated long ago and even celebrities [url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/aboutus.htm]such as Kerry O’Brien[/url].

Now, not having been to an auction before, I’d never seen how one actually works… and being up on stage with a long lens gives you an interesting perspective in as to how serious bidders can really be.

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS005.jpg[/img]

The bowls weren’t exactly in an incredibly high-priced section of the market, but most weren’t what you’d call cheap and some of the people bidding on the pieces of art didn’t exactly brandish smiles. It made me wonder if they ever would in an auctioning environment.

[b]Is it not a proper etiquette or something to smile when you’re bidding?[/b]

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS006.jpg[/img]

It actually didn’t matter if the people bidding didn’t smile.

The wine was pouring and people were talking to friends and as I went round with the it’s-okay-if-you-hate-me-I’m-used-to-it camera apparatus, most people were more than happy to stand somewhat near each other in some sort of happy group sort-of-thing and pose for a nice picture that they’d be able to find easily enough provided they knew myself or Bernie.

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS007.jpg[/img]

Why, some people even looked like they were in love… of sorts. Whether they were or not, I can’t tell. It wouldn’t be hard to pull a whole lot of wool over my eyes. Seriously, how am I expected to know (aside for that I already know them)…

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS002.jpg[/img]

There were even some VIP’s that night.

The very [url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/2002/499/27933]well known Jack Mundy[/url] was there. Me being young had no idea who he was until his name was mentioned and I remembered that he had spoken at a funeral of the mother of my Dad’s girlfriend. And then it clicked… [i]this[/i] was Jack Mundy!

That said, that doesn’t mean a whole lot to me but he seemed like a decent enough guy. And from what I hear, he’s that and more.

And there was the head of the art school… [url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/11/1086749898516.html?from=storylhs]Bernard Ollis[/url]. Not much to say here.

There was the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Squiggle]guy who drew Mr. Squiggle[/url] and even Kerry O’Brien apparently turned up later that night, though no one told me so I couldn’t get the picture… bugger.

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS004.jpg[/img]
[i]Jack Mundy and Bernard Ollis speaking.[/i]

And at one point, I ducked out of the Cell Block while no one was there and snapped this somewhat-artistic picture of Damo walking down one of the alleys in the school. I like the lines and shadows in it. You don’t have to, but I do.

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS003.jpg[/img]

I’m not sure if I like the whole social photography thing. Really, it bores the living hell out of me and makes me feel like a dirty, dirty photographer.

And if saying I’m a dirty, dirty photographer made you feel all dirty and nasty and kinky, please drop me a line so we can feel dirty and nasty together.

Seriously, I don’t mind the social photography scene when I know the people… in those situations, I know that they’re going to give me a little bit more leeway than the average person would. The average person is actually very unlikely to give me any bit of help or assistance in matters such as these as I’m not exactly the world’s best socialite and my directness usually throws most people a curve ball.

Sorry, yes… it’s the social photography thing. I think I can handle it, but I’m not sure if I like it.

I do like seeing people smile though. That, in and of itself, is easily worth something for the night.

[img]https://www.leighlo.com/uploads/random/2006/FONAS009.jpg[/img]