National Library of Australia - Gateways

ISSN 1443-0568 | no. 70 | August 2004


A black & white photograph of Aidan Kane Munn (foreground) with Victor Bramich and Kim Hales-McCarthur in Petrouchka, Leigh Warren and Dancers, 1993 by Alex Makeyev

Alex Makeyev (b.1952)
Deon Hastie in Divining, Leigh Warren and Dancers,
2000
b&w photograph; 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Pictures Collection , nla.pic-vn3106031

Pictures Collection:
Alex Makeyev Dance Portfolio

A portfolio of 12 exhibition prints recently purchased from photographer Alex Makeyev makes an enticing addition to the National Library’s collection of dance photographs. Acquisition of these prints, which focus on the work of the small contemporary Adelaide-based company, Leigh Warren and Dancers, is a significant step towards ensuring that a range of dance styles from across the continent is represented in the Library’s Dance Collection.

The Makeyev portfolio contains a number of  images, such as that from Warren’s 1993 production of Petrouchka, which capture the gravity-defying moments and off-centre moves that are characteristic of today’s dance. A sense of mystery emerges from others, such as the shot of Deon Hastie in Warren’s Divining, created in 2000. A shrouded figure hovers around Hastie and seems to be pushing him off balance: we cannot help but ponder on the subtle drama of the event.

Alex Makeyev was born in Australia, to Russian parents working on the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric scheme. He has been a professional photographer, primarily in photo-journalism, for over 20 years. In addition to his work for Leigh Warren and Dancers, he has photographed dancers from the Australian Ballet and Australian Dance Theatre.
— Michelle Potter, Curator of Dance

A black & white photograph of Aidan Kane Munn (foreground) with Victor Bramich and Kim Hales-McCarthur in Petrouchka, Leigh Warren and Dancers, 1993 by Alex Makeyev

Alex Makeyev (b.1952)
Deon Hastie in Divining, Leigh Warren and Dancers,
2000
b&w photograph; 40.5 x 30.5 cm
Pictures Collection,
nla.pic-vn3106049

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