Marti Friedlander | Through the Lens with Tony Maskill

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Another person we were keen to talk to about Marti Friedlander: Portraits of The Artists was our very own Tony Maskill. When Tony isn’t welcoming visitors to The Suter Art Gallery, he can be found behind his camera, working as a skilled freelance photographer, specialising in portraiture, event and travel photography, and studio lighting.

Tony Maskill, Visitor and Retail Services, The Suter Art Gallery

When did you first get into photography?

I started to get into photography back when I was in high school in the 1980s.

What do you know of Friedlander’s work?

Friedlander's work and several of her images that are now considered iconic depictions of New Zealand society were familiar to me as a youngster. I was immediately moved by her portraiture, and in particular, by her images of Māori women. I also recall seeing several of the photographs that are now part of the current Marti Friedlander: Portraits of The Artists exhibition. Like many students seeing Friedlander’s portraits for the first time, it gave me an exciting new perspective on New Zealand art.

What’s your favourite piece in the exhibition?

The portrait of Pat Hanly and Gil Hanly standing together in their open front door, Auckland, 1969.  

Why have you chosen this photograph?

I chose this photograph because I believe it exemplifies Friedlander's ability to capture numerous elements of the persons she photographed. Friedlander had known the couple since they returned from England in 1962, and her friendship with them was enriched by her deep appreciation for them as both artists and friends. She captures a moment with the two artists side-by-side intimately connected, yet also embodied with their own dynamic strength.

Does the inclusion of artworks by artists Friedlander has previously photographed make this exhibition more special?

For me, the artworks are windows through which the viewer is invited to investigate the richness of each artist’s life and career. We can begin to understand the complexity of their art and personalities, and then reflect back on Friedlander’s insightful portrayal of each individual.

For example, the portrait of the Hanlys can be interpreted as a couple with lives entwined, while also foretelling the future of their own creative pursuits. There is a story being told in their individual poses. Pat Hanly seems to be relaxed leaning upon the door frame, but his crossed arms and legs might also hint toward his guarded status as an established painter at this time in his life. His wife Gil is gazing off to the side in the same direction as her husband, perhaps signifying how her work as a photographer at this time was on hold while raising their children. We also see that her right leg is planted forward, like a step toward her future work as a documentary photographer. There is something powerful about the subtle placement of hands and feet, almost emulating Patrick Hanly’s Figures in Light paintings. The inclusion of his painting Wonder State - Version II from 1983 in the exhibition also enhances our experience of this portrait.

What do you enjoy most about being a photographer?

Photography has allowed me to see people and my surroundings in a different way than I might usually. I like that being a photographer gives me a quiet, considered way of playing with light and expresses both internally and externally my place in the world. It lets me creatively participate in conversations about what it means to be human.

Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers?

There are so many images and so many photographers with their own opinions today, all accessible in an instant. Really impactful photographs start from a place of genuine curiosity. It helps if the subject is someone or something with which you feel connection or empathy. Approach your work as an adventure where you are exploring your own unique identity, relationships and views on life. Learning the technical aspects will happen along the way, but I think it is more important to have fun with photography and enjoy the journey!

Marti Friedlander: Portraits of The Artists runs from the 19th of February 2022 until the 10th of April, 2022. Curated by Leonard Bell and toured by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery