Artist in Residence

Revolution & Joy

Revolution & Joy is a photographic collective led by Irihipeti Waretini, with Bakri Mah and Gianna Rizzo. Having documented protests and parties for the past two decades, our collective repositories hold portraitures of past and contemporary Naarm creatives and community members who navigate our collective Revolution & Joy.

Irihipeti started as a real estate and architecture photographer, before developing a name within the Arts community for portraiture and events. She has since photographed for MAV, State Library and her images are permanent pieces within the Museum and the State Library archives. She has developed short films for projects as co-curator for Djeembana Whakaora Exhibition, is a creative and photography mentor for multiple emerging artists throughout Naarm and Aotearoa. She is Co-Director of Ipu Ti and Waretini Productions, on the Arts House Creative Advisory Board, is Melbourne Museums Culture Maker and MAV’s Diaspora creative artist.

Bakri cut his teeth documenting black activism and radical movements in Gadigal country, has produced radio content for ABC Far North Queensland and TV news stories for ABC Brisbane. He has been featured on digital platforms such as ABC LIFE, The Mix, and Artworks continuing to tell stories centering marginalized and young peoples.

Gianna is a multidisciplinary photographer and active, long standing member of the West’s vibrant arts, music and cultural scene. With a body of work spanning nearly two decades, her thoughtful documentation of community, with a focus on subculture serves as ongoing meditation on art and identity giving valuable cultural narratives a larger platform through her unique lens.