Trent Parke: The Black Rose

Adelaide: Art Gallery Of South Australia, 2015. First Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Fine. 4to. Scarce contemporary art photography classic. First [& only] edition - Art Gallery Of South Australia, Adelaide, 2015. Published in a small print run [of reportedly 1000 copies] that sold out shortly after publication. Illustrated laminated boards [without DJ, as issued], lavishly illustrated with black-and-white and color plates; a fine copy. The culmination of seven years' work for the Adelaide-based Magnum photographer. Published alongside the landmark 2015 Art Gallery of South Australia exhibition of the same name. "The Black Rose started in 2007 as an attempt to excavate my own histories, reflecting on a night when at the age of twelve, I witnessed my mother die of an asthma attack while my Dad was at his squash night. As a result, I blanked out those first 12 years of my life, and much more. After sidestepping the issue for 27 years, a chance incident forced my hand and I began writing and taking photographs as I sought to get those memories back. Autobiographical in nature, these letters and photographs narrate the story of my life past and present, but more importantly, pose universal questions relating to our very existence. Why are we here? Where are we going, and what happens next?" [Trent Parke]