Elaine Pelot-Syron (Formerly Elaine Pelot-Kitchener) Biography Born in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A. 1945 Influenced by her Father's love for Documentary Photography. First woman in the family to graduate from University. Worked as a waitress to finance studies. Immigrated to Australia in 1971. - Taught English for two years at Picnic Point High School, Randwick Girls High, Vaucluse Boys High.
- Received Diploma of Special Education from Alexander Mackie College.
- Marked Higher School Certificate for 5 years.
- Taught part-time at Randwick Tech and Syd Tech.
1978 Began documentary photography full-time by taking photos for Koori Bina (later AIM Aboriginal Newsletter), Koorier, Ministry of NSW Aboriginal Affairs, Mum Shirl, Joe Croft, Dr Roberta Sykes and Pat O'Shane. Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal & Islander Dance Theatre. 1982 First Solo photographic exhibition at the Aboriginal Children's Service run by directors Jenny Munro and Isabel Coe. This collection was moved to the AMS where Charlie Perkins' encouraged, appreciated and used the photographs to the Canberra collection. Shot cover photograph for Mum Shirl book. In association with Mum Shirl, obtained two grants from the Aboriginal Arts Board to produce two books on "The Urban Aboriginal" and "The Aboriginal Matriarchs of Australia". Tapes and photographs were made over the next years. Mum Shirl and I never finished these books. Being the recipient of these two grants for photographic work was significant as the Aboriginal Arts Board stopped giving grants to Whitefellas after that time 1985 Grant received from the Aboriginal Arts Board for another Solo Exhibition covering the Aboriginal Legal Service, Portraits, Land Claims and Aboriginal Legal Services throughout NSW, e.g., Moree, Walgett, Dubbo, Gulargambone. 1986 Solo Exhibition at the Australian Museum, Sydney, officially opened by Gary Foley and Mum Shirl. 1989 Exhibition at Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, Paddington. Title: "The Birth of Bangarra - A Decade of Dance" opened by Fay Nelson and the Bangarra Dancers. 1991 Solo Exhibition at Josef Lebovic Gallery, Paddington. Title: "On The Cross" opened by 'Carmen'. 1996 Exhibition at NSW Parliament House. Title: "Aboriginal Deaths In Custody", opened by Jeff Shaw, Attorney General. Co-Exhibition with Gordon Syron's paintings of Aboriginal Deaths In Custody. 1999 Solo Exhibition at DQ Art on Oxford, Darlinghurst. Title: "Play and Politics of The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Community". Official Opening by Smantha Leith with Play Theme starring Ms Hillari & Guests 1986 to 1999. 2004 Solo Exhibition at Black Fella's Dreaming Art Gallery, Darlinghurst. Tille: "A Blast From The Past - A Photographic Retrospective of Mardi Gras Moments". Official Opening by Clover Moore and Vanity Fair. 2005 Solo Exhibition at Black Fella's Dreaming Art Gallery. Title: "An Arm, A Leg, And A Coloured Man". Opened by Arm. A Retrospective of Australian Tattoo and Tattooists, 1986 - 2005. Biggest Achievement besides having 4 children, was winning the State of Florida's 100 Mile Endurance Ride at the age of 16. |
