< Artists

Sean Davey

Sean Davey (b.1979) is an Australian photographer whose work crosses the divides of documentary, journalism and art. Filled with enquiry, interest and empathy, Sean’s work often encompasses personal sentiments and oblique observations, which he attributes to an early interest in the Hungarian photographer André Kertész.

‘I trust the process of photography, and I trust myself.’

In 2020 Sean joined the Australian photographic collective Oculi.

www.kentondavey.com.au
www.oculi.com.au

Sean Davey | Solomon Islands, exhibition installation, TPR Gallery, Canberra (2017).

“Sean Davey’s exhibition, Solomon Islands (2016), is based on being in the Solomon Islands on a (commissioned) job, when he also took the opportunity to put together this portfolio of work.

This sort of social documentary work is a ‘must see’. What really shines in this exhibition is the quality of the work – the photographer has one of those magical eyes for the essence of what makes for a wonderful image – and then even better – he knows how to make a wonderful print (rare these days). Seeing such quality photography is always a great pleasure.

Put all of that together and you have before you what makes photography the great medium of expression it is.”

Paul Costigan (The Riot Act)

In 2020 Sean was awarded 2nd Place (Contemporary Issues) in the World Press Photo Awards and was named the Overall Winner of the National Rural Press Club Awards for Excellence in Journalism. In the same year he was shortlisted for the 2020 Australian Photography Awards for photographs made during the Black Summer bushfire season.

In 2017 Sean was commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to document the drawdown of RAMSI in Solomon Islands; the work of which was subsequently exhibited at Australian Parliament House in Canberra and NSW Parliament House in Sydney. From 2005-2014 Sean worked extensively in Papua New Guinea and facilitated education programs with the University of Papua New Guinea.

In 2016 Sean was awarded Highly Commended in the National Photographic Portrait Prize and was a finalist in the Olive Cotton Portrait Prize. In 2009 he received Highly Commended in the Moran Contemporary Photography Prize, and has been exhibited in the William & Winifred Bowness Photography Prize (2007 & 2001) at the Monash Gallery of Art.

Sean is a respected photography teacher who has developed photography education programs for the Gallery of Modern Art/Queensland Art Gallery (GOMA) and Lesson for the ACT Government + Australia Council’s Artist-in-Schools program.

In 2021 Sean and his wife Aishah Kenton founded the PACIFIC CENTRE FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS.

Solo Exhibitions

2024
Today/Tomorrow (Kenton/Davey)
Photo2024
Victorian Parliament House
Melbourne, VIC

2022
One/Another (with Aishah Kenton)
Outdoor exhibition, Melbourne, VIC

2020
One/Another (with Aishah Kenton)
Contour 556, Canberra, ACT

2018
Next Generation: Solomon Islands after RAMSI, NSW Parliament, Sydney, NSW
Untitled/Unknown, TPR Gallery, Canberra, ACT

2017
Next Generation: Solomon Islands after RAMSI, PhotoAccess, ACT
Lesson, Belconnen Arts Centre, ACT
Solomon Islands, The Photography Room, ACT

2016
Spare Parts, The Photography Room, ACT

2015
Limousines & Hearses, Westfield Woden, ACT
Port Moresby/Second Contact, PhotoAccess, ACT

2013
Maze, Manning Clark House, Canberra, ACT
Dog Food & Oysters, Huw Davies Gallery, PhotoAccess, Canberra, ACT

2012
Outskirts, Kaori Gallery, Canberra, ACT

2011
Dog Food & Oysters, The Photography Room, NSW

2010
BullsEye: Queensland Festival of Photography, KickArts Contemporary Arts, Cairns, QLD

8 Mile: Photographs from the margins of Port Moresby, Monash Gallery of Art, VIC

2009
T.V. ELECTION, Airport North Gallery, Sydney, NSW

2008
Limousines & Hearses (Part One), Chauvel Cinema Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Pidgin, VIVID National Photography Festival, Canberra, ACT

2007
The First Train Home, Canberra Grammar School, ACT

2006
Pidgin, Wallspace Gallery, Sydney, NSW