Sally Tsoutas : Slow Shutter

Even within the smallest increments of time, the slowing of a shutter speed, the click of the camera, we can create a one-off moment, an opportunity for a story, a memory.  For over 17 years Sally Tsoutas has been capturing the collective memory of Western Sydney University. As the on-staff photographer Tsoutas, documents pivotal moments in campus life, from the celebrations of graduations to events for social justice, reconciliation, community building and engagement as well as the grand openings of new campus buildings. Through the eye of her lens Tsoutas trains us to see the human intimacies of these gatherings. It is in the facial expressions, the hand gestures, and stance, from which we draw the personal significance of these occasions. 

During 2020 and 2021, we all experienced the challenges of a world impacted by a global pandemic. We all needed to shift and adjust our daily routines, and ways of being part of the world. Much has been written about these extraordinary times. The series developed for Slow Shutter, provide an opportunity to see what happens to creativity when an image maker, a photojournalist, recorded our transformed lives.   

Western Sydney Creative acquired artworks from the two photographic series created by Tsoutas during the pandemic:

Connections 2021-21 is a series of photographs of Western Sydney University students and staff taken in their home environments over the COVID 19 pandemic.

Awake Dreaming 2020-21 is a series of zoom portraits juxtaposed with moments captured during our altered daily rituals.