Nastasi Photography Exhibition
Posted by Dianne Reed
on Sep 01, 2015
On Tuesday 25th August members of the Ascot Rotary club went along to Russell Nastasi's Photography Exhibition entitled "Afghanistan - Through the Digger's Eyes". It was a series of photographs and images taken while Russell was on deployment with the army in Afghanistan.
There were 16 members who attended this exhibition and had the privilege of listening to Russell relate his experiences in Afghanistan. The evening included a slide-show and videos of 'life on the front line'.
There were also many behind-the-scene images taken by Russell that were on display from his tour of duty depicting aspects of life not normally seen through the media.
The evening was an extremely interesting and informative one; and Russell showed us that somehow our soldiers seemed to find time to eat, sleep, wash and even laugh. There were no home comforts: the bed may have been a sand bunker, or even made with pickets; washing could be under a makeshift shower where someone pours water from above with a bottle; birthdays were celebrated with cakes 'made' from whatever comes in parcels from home.
According to Russell the life was hard, but the worst thing was the boredom which could be very demoralising for the troops. They learned to use small things to distract them from the grim reality surrounding them; and from the huge distances separating them from their loved ones.
The photographic exhibition itself, although not large was well worth a visit at Team Digital, 268 Lord Street in East Perth. Most who go there won't hear Russell talk, but we had the special privilege of him being there.
(ED: Thanks to Mike B for providing the notes and to Joanna for the photo)