Tobi Wilkinson And The Gyuto Monks In Bondi

When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Tobi Wilkinson.

Passage of Time Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson
Passage of Time
Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson

I was immediately mesmerized by Tobi’s photography when introduced to her work earlier this year by my friend and mentor Karen Thurman. So I was delighted when Karen managed to score me an invitation to the opening of Tobi’s current exhibit Mindful Practice – The Gyuto Monks Summer Retreat at the Bondi Pavilion on April 13.

Opening Night Ceremony
Opening Night Ceremony

What I found on my first visit to the exhibit was far more than just photography; it was a happening with something for everyone. Tobi has managed to bring her study to us. Not only does Tobi share moments that she has captured on film; she has designed an event that  allows patrons to become part of the moment.  

Surrender To The Path Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson
Surrender To The Path
Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson

In addition to Tobi’s photography, event activities include daily chanting, meditation, and crafts for kids, cleansing ceremonies, talks, the creation of a sand mandala, and best of all, the opportunity to hang out with some really approachable monks.

After The Morning Chant
After The Morning Chant

The monks may look serious when they are deeply engaged in their ancient practices, which they maintain when visiting Australia. But they are full of welcome and smiles when interacting with exhibit patrons. Watching the monks connect with children is especially heart warming.

And Tobi is also all smiles as well whether she is introducing us to the monks and their practices or sharing the detailed stories behind each photograph.  With this exhibit, she has succeeded in capturing ‘the essence of joy and the purity and authenticity of the Gyuto Monk’s spiritual practice’.

Tobi Wilkinson And Passang
Tobi Wilkinson And Passang Kicking Off The Children’s Morning Tea

Admission to the show is free.  Tobi’s photography and items commemorating the show are for sale (wish I had walls). 100% of all proceeds from exhibition sales are donated to Gyuto Monastery.

Tobi was kind enough to meet up for a coffee on my second visit to Mindful Practice and share her story with me. Here is what I learned.

The Journey Ahead Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson
The Journey Ahead
Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson

Always attracted to the art of photography, Tobi received her first camera from her husband Rob on her 31st birthday. She studied black and white film photography with Gordon Undy as her mentor at point light in Surry Hills .  She didn’t start using a digital camera until 2009 when low lighting wouldn’t have manifested the images she was trying to capture on film. She shoots film with a Leica M7, digital color with a Nikon D4 and digital black and white with a Leica Monochrome. She still prefers film over digital and uses with it whenever she can.

Steps of Study Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson
Steps of Study
Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson

Tobi met the monks in 2008 during a talk held by the Dali Lama as part of a book launch and they just clicked. She has since photographed them in her studio, around Australia, and at their monastery in Sidhbara, near Dharamsala,India.  Tobi has exhibited work from this study at Bondi Pavilion (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) and at the Colour Factory in Melbourne (2015).  And she was the official photographer on the Australian tour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2009.   Her husband, Rob Keldoulis, joined the Board of the Dalai Lama in Australia in 2008, becoming Chairman in 2010; a post from which he recently retired.

From Buddah's Robes Exhibit Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson
From Buddah’s Robes Exhibition
Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson

Tobi works in both black and white and color. The choice is really driven by ‘what works’ in the photographs and what she is trying to communicate through the images.  The 2015 Buddha Robes Exhibition  in Melbourne was filled with red. She had originally intended for the current exhibition to be a combination of both, but as she started editing the work, she realized that the story was stronger if told only in black and white.

A Pause In The Chanting Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson
A Pause In The Chanting
Image Credit: Tobi Wilkinson

In addition to her study of the Gyuto Monks, Tobi completed a course in Sydney with Ralph Gibson in 2012 that led to a fantastic study on the female nude and an exhibition entitled Source. She finds herself most attracted to hands, shapes and shadows.

But nothing is permanent as the Gyuto Monks remind us through the creation and dissolution of sand mandalas, and this exhibit is no exception.  It closes on 24 April, ending with a Dissolution Ceremony at 4:00 PM.

Submitted for the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Admiration

81 comments Tobi Wilkinson And The Gyuto Monks In Bondi

Ah, Lisa, the journey continues. Wish I was more than an armchair traveler with you.

Kirsten

You are always welcome to visit Kirsten. We miss you ?

Margo says:

Very nice! Lisa. However, I have to say you are just about there with your own work!

You are very lovely to say Margo. Putting my pictures of the event next to Tobi’s stunning portraits felt like I was posting children’s drawings alongside Picasso’s work ?

y says:

Hi Lisa – my comments do not want to make it here – so I tried a few times. I love the after the chant photo post – the man with the glasses and his expression – and the stairs shot. But each flowed so well and the colors are still with me. What a cool event – and I will check out the links later – have a great weekend – peace!

Thank you for hanging out at the event with me virtually Yvette and for your compliments ?

Wow! My turn to say to you: I wish I was there! What a truly amazing exhibition – the images of Tobi’s work that you’ve shared are very, very beautiful, Lisa. They must be incredible to see exhibited.
But most of all I just love your photo of Tobi with Passang – it exudes so much genuine warmth!

? Thank you Jill. I wish you were here too

This must have been such an experience for you, Lisa. Being invited to Tobi’s current exhibit and meeting her must have been humbling, and she sounds so dedicated to her craft. Thanks for sharing some of her images. It is amazing how peace and life exude through her BW photography.

As I mentioned on your Instagram, these are amazing shots from you all round. Stunning street photography and what heartwarming moments you captured. Love how you capture expressions. Take care 🙂

Humbling indeed Mabel. Tobi is truly a master. And thank you for the very kind compliments about my images from the event. It was a treat to be able to capture those moments. Hugs to Mr Wobbles ✌️❤️?

Traveller at heart says:

The caption beneath the B&W photos took my breath away. Simple words but together, it say so much. Wow!

Her photo titles are as inspired as the images ?

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. I hope one day when I grow up I can take pictures like these 🙂

Mark
s/v Cream Puff

#metoo ? Tobi’s work is definitely something I aspire to.

Sounds like a unique experience that you truly enjoyed. Glad you got to see and experience it. Thanks for the tour and the background notes. I’ll have to google Tobi, as I hadn’t heard of her work before this.

Thank you. It was an amazing experience. If you have the time today, get down to Bondi and check it out. You’ll be happy you did ?

Thank you Lisa for introducing us to Tobi’s work. The event must have been something to see and participate in person but this series of images and your words did a wonderful job of conveying the warmth, energy and I would also add joy, in describing for us, your experience.

? Thank you Meg! You would have loved the event and so would have Hubble and Jack Henry. Dogs were welcomed at the event. There was a poodle sitting next to me at the morning chant ?

lexklein says:

First of all, may I say that Buddhist monks rock! In my experience, they are able to straddle the worlds of meditation/holiness and the temporal/everyday with great aplomb. Would that all religious people could follow their example. Second, the photography is sublime. Although it sounds weird, the warmth and texture of one of the monks’ heads and the wall going up the stairs were palpable (and oddly similar); she captured every rough spot, dip, and bump, making a head and a patch of wall true works of art. What a fantastic experience for you and, hence, us!

? Totally agree with your take on Buddhist monks. How cool are they? And your assessment of Tobi’s work is spot on. Thanks for sharing the event with me virtually Lexi. I look forward to the day when we are really in the same place and can enjoy such events together in person ✨

lexklein says:

Me, too!

Steps of Study is a great photo. The step theme is even carried over with step molding on the wall. Thanks for sharing.

Indeed. Tobi has an amazing eye. Thank you for coming to the event with me virtually ?

Lisa thank you for introducing me to Tobi’s work and taking me along of the exhibit. I love the fact that not only was there art but interactive happenings to bring it alive. The photos of the children with the monks are so heartwarming

Thanks for coming along with me virtually Sue. Watching the monks with the kids was definitely the highlight of the events for me. Totally adorable ?

Aquileana says:

Great to meet Tobi.Wilkinson.. Impressive artist, dear Lisa.
All my best wishes and happy weekend.

Liesbet says:

What an amazing exhibition, Lisa. It combines so many things and aspects in life that you love. Very inspiring as well. I am happy that you got to experience it during your last weeks in Australia! Thinking about you both. xx

Definitely a great way to wrap up our time here Liesbet. Only 7 days left until we lift anchor! And do you know that a year ago we were together in New Zealand. It actually seems like eons ago. Miss you and Mark. Any chance we can convince you to come Roaming About in Indonesia or Asia?

Wonderful! I love the red robe picture the most.

I am delighted that you enjoyed the post Anabel. I love Tobi’s color work as well. Such a simple subject (a monk in a robe) but the results are dramatic, almost transitory. I feel like I could get happily lost in that picture.

Your friend is truly a genius with her camera and her art of capturing people. Were the photos of the monks interacting with the children yours or hers? Those were delightfully captured and opened my own eyes to my beliefs about the monks. Nice to see them interacting so joyfully with the children. A very cool exhibit indeed. Thanks for sharing!

You are lovely as always Terri. The photos of the monks interacting with the kids were mine. I have to say that those interactions opened my eyes as well. It really brought the monks down to earth for me, showing just how approachable they really are. Thank you for joining me at “Mindful Practice” virtually.
PS. I have not forgotten up SUP. It may not happen in Sydney as we are rushing to leave here in 7 days, but it will happen in 2016. And my guess is that it will happen more than once. I totally blew off the Bridge Climb (???) but I am actually looking forward to learning SUP. I am a water not an air gal.

Lisa what a fantastic event! I love Toby’s gorgeous work and being able to meditate and chant like this would be fantastic!

Tobi is a lucky girl getting to spend so much time with these incredibly cool monks and having the eye/skill to capture so many beautiful moments on film. I am glad that she was able to share that experience with us through her exhibit, even if for only two weeks. I am sad to see the show coming to its conclusion but delighted I got to experience it at all. Thanks for joining me there virtually Nicole.

What exquisite photos! The color pics are gorgeous but the b/w compositions evoke such peaceful emotions. Thank you for introducing us to Tobi. I also loved your pictures of the monks with the children. Such joy!

Thank you for joining me virtually at the show Janis! I am delighted that you found Tobi’s work exquisite. In addition to her photography, the monks interacting with the kids was the highlight of the show for me. Glad you enjoyed that aspect as well.

badfish says:

This is the kind of photography that makes me want to buy a better camera….and go back to B&W. Just great images. And I am a “red” kind of guy, so I do love the red photos, too.

I hear you Mr Badfish. At a minimum, I am thinking of upgrading to a better lens. My mentor friend Karen is trying to talk me into shooting film but I think I have a way to go before I am willing to move in that direction. Still, images like the ones in this show make it a goal to aspire to. Thanks for hanging out with me virtually at the show.

On another note, we are thinking of doing this rally http://www.sailindonesia.net/rally/schedule.php. We will finalize our decision in July, but it gives you a sense of what our schedule might be like in Indonesia.

badfish says:

I love still photos. I like video stuff, but it’s not as beautiful…or something…to my eye. One really cool shot–like a monk’s head—makes me stare for minutes at a time, and go back to stare again. Oh wait…you said “film” I thought you mant movies. Film is something else altogether…I don’t think I want to go back to film. All the hassle of loading and then that gunk during processing.
The rally sounds cool. Is it like a race?

Film scares me.

The rally is not a race, it is just a bit of organized fun with events in Darwin and throughout Indonesia. And they organize
1) Visa Sponsor Letters to enable us to apply for our Indonesian Social Visas.
2) The processing of all documentation for Indonesian Customs
Have a look at the schedule and let us know if any place looks interesting for a visit (should we decide to do that rally….)

Oh dear! Then I’ve already missed it 🙁 What a wonderful thing to be part of, Lisa, and such beautiful images. 🙂 I hope that you and the Captain are maintaining good health and good spirits. Safe and happy journeys ahead!

Ahoy Jo! Am delighted that you could join me for it virtually even if the show has now sadly come to its conclusion. I hope you are having a great time in Algarve and do hope you will be treating us to another walk before you head to Poland with your Dad.

All good here. Just a few more procedures for us (the engine on Tuesday, the Captain on Wednesday and me on Thursday) then a brief visit with my mom and sister who are doing a Sydney ‘drive by’ on their way to Ayers Rock, and then we are out of here. Dock lines off May 2! OMG, that is in 7 days. Sooooo excited.

I’m very briefly back in the UK to catch up with a zillion jobs before I go to Poland on Thursday. Tomorrow’s walk is written. Don’t know what else I’ll manage. Have a fabulous trip if we don’t speak before! 🙂 🙂

Looking forward to seeing tomorrow’s walk (now today). You have a fabulous trip too!

What a delightful post, Lisa. Your mentor and friend has given you a great opportunity to know a great photographer in a very creative setting and unforgettable experience. And thanks for introducing us to Tobi’s work, which I loved it.
Your photojournalism skills are impressive too; enticing narrative and photos. Xxx

? You always know exactly what to say to make me feel awesome Lucile . I think my ‘photojournalism skills’ have a long way to go before I will be happy with them, but I enjoyed this event so much that I wanted to share it with everyone. I am grateful to my friend Karen for introducing me to Tobi and I am grateful to Tobi for spending so much time with me over coffee and in the gallery. Thank you so much for hanging out with me virtually at the show .

I don’t think I would know what to say if not being touched by the authentic way you share your experiences here. I merely translate how able you are to describe what you ‘see’, and the people and cultures you experience, from their viewpoint. Photojournalism or journalism, for that matter, is so often partial and biased. So I think you have what it takes to make all of us here, be very interested, and attracted to travel along with you, because you’re a trusted and enticing photojournalist or photoblogger! What’s in the name? Simple as that.

You make me blush and you make me smile with your very kind, eloquent words. I look forward to the day I meet you in person ??

I hope not to disappoint you when you find out that I’m a robot! 😉

???

Amy says:

Tobi’s photos are remarkable. Thank you for introducing to us, Lisa. I sure enjoy the tour here. Love all your photos. 🙂

Thank you so much for hanging out with with at ‘Mindful Practice’ Amy and for your lovely compliments ?

themofman says:

I love those B/Ws.

#metoo Allan. Tobi is a superstar. Thank’s for joining me at the show.

Wow, fantastic. Beautiful pictures and what an amazing way to introduce everyone to the monks….

I am delighted that you enjoyed it. Keep an eye out for Tobi…you never know when she might bring another show Melbourne way. Thank you for joining me at this one virtually.

Tobi’s photos are amazing. Incredibly moving. I’ll have to keep an eye out for her exhibits in Melbourne. I did also love the photos of the monks with the children – gorgeous!

I so hope that Tobi does another show in Melbourne so that you can experience it in person Heather. I appreciate you joining me for the show virtually here and for your kind words.

Wow, this is fascinating, Lisa. Tobi’s artwork is incredible and I find the sand mandalas to be absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing.

I really like Tobi’s images. The red robe image is probably my favorite. I admit that I am always sucked in by color. I really like your image captioned after morning chant. i love the expression that you captured. I am really jealous that you got to see a sand mandala being made–I keep missing my opportunities to see it done. Have you thought about selling your images and stories? There are a great many online magazines that
focus on this type of photojournalism. Hope you give film a try. It has a really different feel to it.

You’ve said so many nice things it is making my head explode. Love you! On the one hand, it would be a dream come true to be paid for my stories and images. On the other hand, be careful what you wish for as they say. I love the creative freedom that this unpaid labor of love affords me. Turning a love into a job makes it, well, a job. Still, if I could create as I want and get paid for it, well, that would be just awesome.

I first learned of sand mandalas when I was in Hawaii in 2014. There was a different kind of exhibit about these same monks when I was visiting there. I thought the practice was so cool and to see it in action live was really amazing. I hope you get to see it live someday. My guess is that now that you’ve put your intention out there, you will see one being made someday.
And I, like you get sucked in by color (and could get lost in the picture of that red robe) but I also love the way that shadows and contrasts and drama jump out in black and white. Sometimes, I think the image dictates which form is best.

Fantastic photography by Tobi! Thanks for sharing her work, Lisa. Your post reminds me of our trip to Dharamshala – back in December. I did a search and turns out that the Gyuto Monks are based nearby. 🙂 We’ve always been captivated by monasteries and Buddhist monks. And although making the journey will involve serious altitude issues, it’s worth every lost breath of air.

I would love to go to Dharamshala! Am heading to your blog now to visit their virtually. Thank you for joining me at the show. Delighted that you liked Tobi’s work.

A nice “trip”. And a powerful combination of Buddhist monks with a “bujumbura” (Not the right word, Bujumbura is in Africa, but it sort of kicked the aborigine word out of my mind. What is the name of the hollow thing? 🙁

? It is a Didgeridoo ! A magical combination indeed. ✨✨✨

garym6059 says:

I swear you are the most exotic person I’ve ever met online!

? That is a very nice compliment Gary. Thank you ?

A really lovely post, Lisa. The photography is wonderful. I particularly love the bell image.

I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the post Sylvia! The details in that bell image are just amazing. Someday, I hope to create such beauty.

Thanks for triggering my memory. Love that instrument. Makes me think of Dreamtime and Songlines.
😉

?

I’m not into superstition, but this still looks like a nice exhibition. 🙂

? Thanks for hanging out with me virtually Max ✨

Tobi Wilkinson is a genius.
The world has so much to offer both nationally and internationally.
You are blessed to experience both.

These images are brilliant!

Blessed indeed. I feel very lucky to have been in Sydney to experience this show and be inspired by it. Looking forward to your Galapagos posts. A magical place.

Thank you for sharing this, Lisa! Interesting slice of life of the monks, and great photography.

Thank you for sharing the experience with me virtually Inese! Delighted that you enjoyed the photography .

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Marvellous photos, both yours and Tobi’s. Your “admiration” comes through clearly.

Thank you so much for your visit and lovely compliment Karen. Greatly appreciated.

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