An upcoming exhibition in Melbourne will bring together photography and watercolour painting to present different perspectives on Hampi, one of India’s most historically important archaeological sites.
Schaller v Gollings opens at The Lennox in Richmond on 2 July and runs until 26 July, featuring the work of photographers John Gollings and Charlotte Schaller alongside watercolour artist Mark Schaller.
The exhibition grew out of a shared trip by the three artists to Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rather than presenting a single artistic interpretation, the collection offers contrasting views of the ancient city through documentary photography, observational painting and images of everyday life among its ruins.
John Gollings, whose architectural photography has earned international recognition, continues a long-standing interest in Hampi through large-scale photographs that focus on the city’s temples, gateways and stone structures. His images explore the changing effects of natural and artificial light across the site while placing its architecture within the wider dry landscape that surrounds it.
Mark Schaller approaches the same location from a different direction. His watercolour paintings, created outdoors, use colour and expressive forms to capture both the built environment and the natural setting. The works present a more interpretive response, offering a contrast to the photographic record while reflecting the atmosphere of the historic site.
Charlotte Schaller turns her attention towards the people who visit Hampi today. Her photographs place contemporary visitors within the ancient surroundings, capturing moments that highlight the continuing cultural life of the site. Traditional clothing, modern dress and informal gatherings appear alongside centuries old monuments, showing how the location remains part of everyday experience rather than simply a historical landmark.
Viewed together, the exhibition presents Hampi through three distinct artistic approaches, inviting audiences to consider the relationship between heritage, place and the people who continue to engage with it.
The exhibition opens on Thursday 2 July from 6pm at The Lennox, 208 Lennox Street, Richmond, with the opening event continuing into the evening. Admission is free.
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