STUDYING PHOTOGRAPHY
VIOLET HAMILTON: LOS ANGELES
In 1980, Violet was given the opportunity to study overseas at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Throughout her study she was a teaching assistant at the University as well as a part-time teacher of photography at Mount Saint Antonio College, Southern California. At this time she was living in downtown L.A, a vibrant home to photographers, performance artists, painters and other creatives.
She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Masters in Photography and in 1984 was offered and accepted a position as a consultant for the Wilson Centre of Photography in London.
RESEARCHING JULIA MARGARET CAMERON
Violet's interest in portraiture sparked her fascination with Margaret Cameron. Prior to her employment with the Wilson Centre, Violet was introduced to the work of Julia Margaret Cameron and began extensive research on her life and career as a female photographer of the 19th century.
The Wilson Centre continues to hold one of the largest collections of photography, specialising in photographs from the 19th Century. It was via this collection that Violet developed her research of Julia Margaret Cameron.
Cover: "Annals of My Glass House" written by Violet Hamilton
During her career with the Wilson Centre, Violet undertook various research projects investigating and documenting the life and work of Cameron. This included deciphering and transcribing letters written by Cameron, eventually culminating in the exhibition and published catalogue Annals of My Glass House – Photographs by Julia Margaret Cameron in 1997. This exhibition toured globally and Violet continued to work with the collection throughout her life. Notably, Violet was also the co-curator for the exhibition Julia Margaret Cameron – Victorian Photographer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (1997-1998).
In 2008, Violet curated a major survey of Julia Margaret Cameron’s work, Julia Margaret Cameron, at the Wilson Centre for Photography before retiring in late 2009.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS:
Four Eyes - Photography and Performance
Essay, High Performance, Los Angeles, 1983
Photo-Discourse - Conceptual Photography
Essay, Sydney College for the Arts, 1981