LightVision

Well deserved recognition was bestowed last week upon Wildlight photographer Mark Lang, when his print of old man Bill Neidjie, a traditional owner, was accepted by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Mark spent three years up in Kakadu National Park working as a park ranger, during that time he befriended and sort the mentorship of the late ‘Big Bill’ Neidjie. During his time in the ‘top end’ Mark recorded conversations and photographed the old man and his land, a trust extended to so few non-indigenous people. Mark is currently writing a book about his experiences with the old man.

Mark’s emotive portrait of ‘Big Bill’ Neidjie was gratefully accepted by the Gallery’s board in charge of new acquisitions. The 20″x16″ seven-colour black and white archival print will hang as part of the NPG’s permanent collection in 2009.