Philip Down’s Berriwillock Rodeo Exhibition

Capturing the Heartbeat of the Mallee  

Photographer Philip Down has deep roots in the landscape of rural Victoria. Born and raised on a wheat and sheep farm in Speed, at the heart of the Mallee region, he continues to live and work there with his family. As both a farmer and photographer, Philip’s life is shaped by the weather and land, providing him with a unique and deep understanding of the environment surrounding Skymirror.  

In March of this year, Skymirror invited Philip to serve as one of the official photographers for the highly successful Berriwillock Rodeo. Now, Skymirror is proud to present an exhibition of his work, offering an intimate glimpse into the people, passion and energy that brought this rodeo to life. 

‘The power, speed, colour and action were all evident during the four hours at Berriwillock. This exhibition is a selection of images chosen to give insight into the action and excitement of the day.’  - Philip Down 

Photographing a rodeo requires careful preparation, deep familiarity with the subject matter, and the ability to adapt to the unpredictable conditions. Working with natural light, clouds of dust, buzzing crowds, and even flies were all part of the challenges Philip had to face on the day. Due to the many variable aspects, the success of each shot wasn't truly known until Philip was able to go back and review his work. 

Building the Exhibition 

From the fierce grit of bull riders to the grace and precision of barrel racers, every photograph captured by Philip reveals a world of resilience, strength and determination. On the day of the rodeo, Philip decided to document as much of the day as possible, including the deep sense of family and unity that emerged throughout the event and in his images.  

‘I find that the beauty of the still image is in the "freezing of the moment” and to show the intricate details of a fast moving subject.’ - Philip Down 

When creating a cohesive exhibition, the goal is for the images to tell a story. Skymirror wanted the exhibition to reflect the willpower, humility and community spirit that defined the day at Berriwillock Rodeo. At its core, the exhibition is a tribute, not just to the adrenaline and spectacle of the event, but to the people who brought it to life. 

Join us on June 6th at 7pm to immerse yourself in the remarkable images captured by Philip! 

Click here to RSVP!