What the River Leaves Behind presents images taken during the devastating 2011 Brisbane floods. On show for the first time since they were taken, the exhibition includes floodscapes, events, people and portraits from over twenty suburbs and areas affected, from Corinda downstream to the river mouth. The photographs include scenes of devastation and loss, help and recovery, as well as unexpected and even light-hearted moments.
2021 marks the tenth anniversary of floods described as a “once in a century event” and which resulted in significant loss of life and extensive social, economic and environmental damage. The floods dramatically – albeit temporarily – upended our understanding of what it means to live and work alongside the river. But it remains to be seen if Brisbane has learned anything from the disaster…we will have to wait until next deluge to find out.
Anthony Anderton is an award-winning photographer based in Brisbane. His images have been published and exhibited in Australia and internationally. His photographic practice includes portraiture, landscape, street photography and social documentary projects. He is developing a long-term photographic project in China and Myanmar. What the River Leaves Behind establishes him as one of Brisbane’s “submerging” artists.
