Chinese Restaurant series: Family Dinner

BACKGROUND The Chinese Restaurant Series: The Family Dinner was an entry in the Albury Art Prize, one of the state's longest running regional art awards. The 1st prize for the 2012 award was $20,000 for an international residency. Over its long history a substantial number of renowned artists such as Noel Counihan, Fred Cress, Robert Jacks, Louis Kahan, Deborah Klein, Daniel Moynihan and Imants Tiller have been awarded the prize. The judge for the 2012 award was Dr Gene Sherman, Chair and Executive Director of Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation. CONTRIBUTION This work builds on Kozka's continuing research into representations of memory and remembered moments through the use of elaborate tableaux photographs. In exploring the construction of memory in relation to shared spaces we inhabit as human beings, and the psychological tensions that can arise from sharing these spaces, he portrays 'memory' by playing on the ambiguity of fact and fiction in our ability to recall a scene or happening. The photographs are partly truth and partly myth and explore how memory can confuse, and also assure one's construct of a story. There is uncertainty in the images between whether it is night or day, dream or reality and filmic references are utilised to create a dark and at times depraved construct of the shared spaces we inhabit. The photographs ask the viewer to question how they inhabit their spaces, and more importantly, how they connect with other people within this space. SIGNIFICANCE Kozka was one of only 16 finalists from several submissions whose work was accepted for entry in the prestigious Albury Art Prize. In the local Border Mail (28 January 2012) it was reported: "Among more striking works are Bronek Kozka's tableaux photographs, one depicting a family dinner." The work, The Chef, from the series has been acquired by the City of Yarra Art Gallery where it is noted: "The Chinese Restaurant holds an almost iconic place in the suburban Australian landscape".