Emerging photographer Rick Carter, has captured the breath, spirit and sense of humour of country life in his new exhibition, ‘More Than a Poem’.

The exhibition will be opened by Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. John Anderson MP on Thursday August 11 at 6pm at Blender Gallery, 16 Elizabeth Street, Paddington.

‘More than a Poem' is a photo essay on Carter’s childhood home of Gunnedah in north-west New South Wales.
He has long held affection for the place he still calls home and always found comfort in the way everything remains the same.

Over the past 18 months, he’s been returning to capture the ordinary and extraordinary people at the core of country life, to reveal there is more than beauty in its landscape.

It’s little wonder this beautiful area inspired Australia’s most quoted and best loved poem "My Country' by Dorethea Mackellar.

As the title suggests Gunnedah is 'more' than a poem. The vivid narrative only captures the plains, the mountains, and the wide brown land - omitting its breath, spirit and sense of humour of its people.
A community in the truest sense.
Where people you bump into, call you by name - everybody's somebody in Gunnedah.

Award winning Sydney photographer Lisa Hogben (B.V.A.) commented; 'Seen through the photographs of Rick Carter, the town and surrounding environs of Gunnedah become an exceptional place. Gloriously beautiful and infinitely human, Rick's photographs recognise the intricate relationships between the timeless countryside and the people that live within it. The small yet meaningful daily business of such a typical Australian country town take on a new dimension, favouring us with an insight into a way of life that is comforting and sane.'

BIO: Over the past 8 years Rick Carter has been dealing with images as a Graphic Designer/Art Director, and it inspired him to expand his passion in photography.
Initially his interest emerged and evolved whilst traveling, creating an extensive body of travel photos spanning America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

His true passion is for people, capturing an individuals spirit in a unique moment: 'I'd like to believe that I see things that others may not, revealing little details or quirks in what otherwise is familiar. Producing an insight, or an emotional response from those who view the image.'