Head On Foundation Ltd

Exhibition - Hopper Essence

Spanish photographer and visual artist Andrés Gallego’s series is inspired by Edward Hopper and merges photography with painting; staged photographs of windows are combined with acrylic-painted scenes

Exhibitions

Event Details

Category

Exhibitions

Event Starts

Feb 1, 2026 00:00

Event Ends

Mar 1, 2026 23:59

Venue

Elizabeth Quay, The Esplanade

Location

Elizabeth Quay, The Esplanade, Perth WA, Australia

Edward Hopper initially used photography to capture architectural details and spaces, believing these images supported his artistic development. However, he eventually abandoned this method, convinced that photographs failed to represent human perspective accurately.

Perhaps he thought it is impossible to represent what we see with our eyes through a lens or that what is important, after all, is our internal vision, i.e. subjective perception.

In 1992, an exhibition celebrated Hopper’s influence, featuring American photographers who explored the interplay between photography and painting. Photographer Joel Meyerowitz highlighted the distinction between the instantaneous nature of photography and the deliberate process of painting, but what happens when we unite both languages in the same work?

This project merges both media, presenting a series of photographs inspired by Hopper’s work, where views of windows are painted in acrylic on canvas. The scenography is primarily created at a real scale, featuring Hopper’s wife Jo as he depicted her.

Is it as a portrait of her or, as Hopper saw it, a universal depiction of anyone seeking refuge?

Decide for yourselves what is through the window.

This exhibition is part of Head On Photo Festival Perth, presented by the Head On Foundation. 

Hours: 24/7

Entry Fee: Free

 

Andrés Gallego

My photography career began in 2017 with my first camera, leading me to explore visual language, particularly staged photography. In 2019, I launched my first projects, connecting with broader audiences. A significant milestone came in 2021 when I won an award at the RevelaT festival in Barcelona, solidifying my artistic goals. The 2022 project Hopper Essence marked a turning point, merging photography and painting to express my experiences. I’ve received numerous awards and exhibited internationally in cities like Athens, Paris, Berlin, and New York, all contributing to my artistic development.

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