THE LINE
MELBOURNE, 2023-4
Nicholas Walton-Healey and Kevin Brophy / Photograph by Mark Phillips
The Line is the provisional (working) title of an ongoing documentary project undertaken by the photographer in collaboration with writer Kevin Brophy. Conceived in response to the proposed re-design of the Upfield Line as sky rail, the project began as an attempt to capture local sites and stories relating to an area destined to change with the commencement of this major engineering project. With the support of the Merri-bek City Council and the Brunswick Community History Group, the collaboration deepened, entailing heightened community engagement, this being furthered by the publication of an article about the project in the Brunswick Voice (available here). Although the re-design of the Upfield rail is now ‘postponed,’ the collaborators have continued generating an archive of photographic and written materials, aiming to present these in the form of both an exhibition and book in the second half of 2025.
NT LIVED EXPERIENCE NETWORK
DARWIN, 2022
Leah Joy Chongwee
Charles Nasir
Kelli Sobieralski
Salamanda Endemann
Rocket Bretherton
Lauren Keys
Noelene Armstrong
Jeremy Downes
Chris Kuhl
Noelene Armstrong and Nicholas Walton-Healey
Throughout the dry season of 2022, photographer Nicholas Walton-Healey worked and collaborated with Noelene Armstrong, a foundational member of The NT Lived Experience Network. Their efforts led to The Stories of Recovery and Healing Project, this involving the photographer interviewing and photographing several Darwin-based network members for the purpose of making their personal stories of recovery and healing visible. While the final outcome (website archive) remains a work-in-progress, The Network developed an artwork from the project material, which received The Judges Award at the 26th Annual Human Rights Art Awards & Exhibition in Darwin.
ANAT SPECTRALIVE
MELBOURNE, 2022
ANAT Board Member Megan Kelleher
Welcome to Country
Ear On Arm (Stelarc)
Wurundjeri Elder Perry Wandin
ANAT SPECTRA Volunteers
Body Crisis demonstration - Cody Lavery
Nicholas Walton-Healey and ANAT CEO Melissa DeLaney
In April 2022, the photographer was commissioned by ANAT (Australian Network for Art and Technology) to undertake a series of assignments revolving around the SPECTRA Live event in Melbourne. Beginning with a Welcome To Country and smoking ceremony by Wurundjeri Elder Perry Wandin, this three-day extended to include a curated series of seminars, workshops, and live performances, the majority being held at Science Gallery Melbourne. In addition to event documentation, the assignments also encompassed collaborative forms of portraiture, as undertaken with ANAT board member Megan Kelleher, and legendary performance artist Stelarc.
STAR HEALTH
MELBOURNE, 2021
June Sorbi
Paul Corrigan
Ian McBryde
June Sorbi
Vassiliki Tsiampas
Paulo Reid
Victor Morgan
Kim Rowe
Judith Liddell
Nicholas Walton-Healey / Photograph by Ian McBryde
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led the HRAR (High-Risk Accomodation Response) Community Engagement Manager of Star Health to conceive The Positive Stories Project. Intended to heighten awareness of community health and safety, this project involved photographing and interviewing over a dozen residents and outreach professionals of the high-risk community in the South Melbourne area. Each portrait sessions occurred in a location chosen by the participant, and extended to include the solicitation of a narrative regarding their decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
These materials were then combined into billboard posters which circulated throughout inner-Melbourne areas. The posters also incorporated a QR code, directing interested onlookers to a website containing the entire narratives, and an extended selection of photographs. While facilitating Star Health messaging about COVID-19 Community Safety, this assignment also aligned with my broader interest in using the medium of photography to promote the expression of local voices.
MISSION TO SEAFARERS
MELBOURNE, 2019
The Mission To Seafarers
Norla Dome
The Mission Chapel
The Flying Angel Clubroom
Seafarers
Docked Ships