Wesfarmers Arts
THE POWER OF OPERA, OF MUSIC, OF ART.
A compelling image in Australian photographer Bill Henson’s Paris Opera series is a close-up of the face of a young woman set against a black void suggestive of the darkened space of a theatre. Illuminated by an almost otherworldly light, her gaze takes us beyond the picture frame to an unseen stage on which we can imagine a performance is about to begin. An atmosphere of expectation pervades the image - calling to mind the sense of anticipation we experience as the theatre lights dim and a hush falls over the audience. It is an image that speaks eloquently of the power of opera, of music, of art in whatever form it takes, to lift us out of the everyday and invite us to experience our world afresh.
Henson’s photograph is one of the first works of art encountered by the visitor to Wesfarmers’ headquarters where the company has supported the arts for three decades. Today, in addition to collecting the work of Australia’s leading visual artists, Wesfarmers works with premier arts companies like West Australian Opera to enrich the lives of all Western Australians with access to the best in arts and culture from Australia and the world.
Through initiatives such as the Wesfarmers Arts Commission Series and the Wesfarmers Young Artist program, West Australian Opera has been able to commission award-winning new work, nurture the creative pool of young people revitalising the artform here in our state and build collaborative partnerships with artists and companies across the globe.
Opera’s diverse and artistically ambitious program is bringing the art form to life for thousands of people across the state through its main house seasons of the classics as well as new commissions at His Majesty’s Theatre, an inspirational education program, the enduringly popular annual Opera in the Park and a growing regional touring and free live-broadcasting program.
Wesfarmers and West Australian Opera believe that opera is for everyone.
Bill Henson, Paris Opera project 1990-91. Type C colour photograph.
The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, reproduced courtesy of the artist.