Statement
Danny Abood was a member of the ground-breaking 70’s performance art troupe Sylvia and the Synthetics. I have mapped out Danny's life through photography since meeting him in 1986 and his death is part of that. As a performer, Danny revelled in going beyond what others were comfortable with.
Danny called me when he went into Palliative Care. Despite no longer being able to speak clearly, he asked me to bring my camera when I visited him. Bearing witness to my friend's suffering was harrowing and confronting, but I honoured his wishes. The last thing he said to me was: “We always said we'd do this to the end”.
Left - Danny prepares for our first drag shoot, NYC, 1987.
Right- 3 days before his death, Sydney, 2021.
Sydney based artist, Julie Sundberg, has been photographing around the world since buying her first Nikkormat in London, 1978. A teacher for many years, Julie has a long interest in community arts. In 2012, Julie was a founding member of the women’s collective, See Jane Run, along with Emma Phillips, Anna Warr and Fiona Wolf. Julie’s art practise is focused on several long term projects concerning time, memory, identity and gender.