Leisureland is the result of two-and-a-half years’ work by well-known photomedia artist Anne Zahalka. Focusing on theme parks, entertainment centres, shopping arcades, indoor rock climbing gyms, museums, aquariums, video parlours, cinemas, and sporting complexes, these photographs document the artificial nature of these environments and reflect on our fascination with them. 

Exhibition Dates: 3 May – 20 May 2000

Leisureland is the result of two-and-a-half years’ work by well-known photomedia artist Anne Zahalka. Her new work investigates the central place of leisure, sport and entertainment within Australian culture through a series of hyper-real photographic images taken from real locations. Focusing on theme parks, entertainment centres, shopping arcades, indoor rock climbing gyms, museums, aquariums, video parlours, cinemas, and sporting complexes, these photographs document the artificial nature of these environments and reflect on our fascination with them.

‘Nature’ and ‘the real world’ are simulated to differing degrees within these constructed spaces, creating an experience for the visitor of being ‘elsewhere,’ both real and unreal. As the visitor moves through, or looks into these illusory worlds, the authenticity of these environments is critical to his or her appreciation and experience of it.  The photographs examine our relationship to leisure and provide a record of some of its ritualised forms. Zahalka presents the fantastic diversity of commodified leisure and considers the formidable industry it has become. 

Anne Zahalka has, for a number of years, investigated cultural, social and historical imagery through her photographs. These include her re-readings of Australian Impressionist paintings and Dutch interiors; her portraits of Bondi archetypes; and her series of domestic scenes, Open House. Zahalka has shown consistently both in Australia and internationally, with her work held in most major public collections in Australia, as well as New Zealand and the U.S. Recent exhibitions include Journeys in the Dream World at ffotogallery in Cardiff, Wales, and a solo exhibition at Robert Sandelson Gallery, London. 

This project has been assisted by the Australia Council from the Visual Arts/Crafts Fund.  The exhibition will be shown at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery from 3 – 20 May, and a regional tour will begin at the Manly Art Gallery in August 2000. 

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Anne Zahalka Derrida Lecture, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 280 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Derrida Lecture, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 280 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Star City Casino (after Breughel), 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Star City Casino (after Breughel), 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Penrith Panthers (interactive gaming), 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Penrith Panthers (interactive gaming), 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Wood Chop Stadium, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Wood Chop Stadium, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Aqua Golf, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Aqua Golf, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Oceanworld, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Oceanworld, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Bingo, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Bingo, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Live Site, Sydney Olympics, 2000; type C photograph; 115 x 280 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Live Site, Sydney Olympics, 2000
type C photograph
115 x 280 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Show Bag Hall, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Show Bag Hall, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Rock Climbing Gym, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Rock Climbing Gym, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Motor Show, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Motor Show, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Open Air Cinema, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 242 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Open Air Cinema, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 242 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Dinosaur Display, Australian Museum, 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Dinosaur Display, Australian Museum, 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Timezone, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Timezone, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Zoo, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Zoo, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Model Railway, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Model Railway, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Paint Ball, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Paint Ball, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Marrickville RSL Club, 2000; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Marrickville RSL Club, 2000
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka AMF Bowling Alley (Always Means Fun), 1998-00; type C photograph; 115 x 290 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
AMF Bowling Alley (Always Means Fun), 1998-00
type C photograph
115 x 290 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Cole Classic II (The Next Wave), 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12 + AP 2; enquire
Cole Classic II (The Next Wave), 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12 + AP 2
Anne Zahalka Cole Classic, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12 + AP 3; enquire
Cole Classic, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12 + AP 3
Anne Zahalka , 0; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
, 0
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Star City Casino (oasis), 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Star City Casino (oasis), 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Aquatic Centre, 2000; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Aquatic Centre, 2000
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Aquaerobics, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Aquaerobics, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Sydney Aquarium, 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Sydney Aquarium, 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Gym, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Gym, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Imax Cinema, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 242 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Imax Cinema, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 242 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Penrith Panthers (mini-racetrack), 1998; type C photograph; Edition of 12; enquire
Penrith Panthers (mini-racetrack), 1998
type C photograph
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Bridge Climb, 2000; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Bridge Climb, 2000
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka The Ledge, Rock Climbing Gym, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
The Ledge, Rock Climbing Gym, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Agricultural Display, 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Agricultural Display, 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Laser Zone, 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Laser Zone, 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Australian Museum (boys and dinosaurs), 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Australian Museum (boys and dinosaurs), 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka AFL match, Sydney Cricket Ground, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
AFL match, Sydney Cricket Ground, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Sega World, 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Sega World, 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Model Railway Club, 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Model Railway Club, 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Chinese Gardens (boy in costume), 1998; type C photograph; 76 x 93 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Chinese Gardens (boy in costume), 1998
type C photograph
76 x 93 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Star City (palm tree), 1998; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Star City (palm tree), 1998
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Penrith Panthers  (poker machines), 2000; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Penrith Panthers (poker machines), 2000
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Robosaurus, 1999; type C photograph; 115 x 145 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Robosaurus, 1999
type C photograph
115 x 145 cm
Edition of 12
Anne Zahalka Aquatic Centre Slide, 2000; type C photograph; 115 x 263 cm; Edition of 12; enquire
Aquatic Centre Slide, 2000
type C photograph
115 x 263 cm
Edition of 12