Royce Wells Ed. 1 of 1

A finalist in the 2017 National Photographic Portrait Prize. Image depicts Mr Royce Wells, whom I have been photographing for the past 7 years in the place known as "The House of Psychedelia."

When images I posted of him on social media in February coincided with a State Government eviction and demolition order, the story went viral.

With the help of many in the media and broader community, progress (as at March 2018) has been made to conform the house (which has been in his family for a century) to safety and habitation standards. In early March an extension of three months was granted to Mr Wells.

50% of proceeds to go to the GoFundMe campaign set up to fund repairs on the house.

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Alex Frayne has been involved in film and images from his earliest school days. Beginning with an 8mm camera in hand he has continued his love affair with visual media ever since. His stills photography work has earned acclaim and his work is held in galleries including the National Portrait Gallery (two images in the Permanent Collection).

He shoots mainly analogue film formats, including 6x6cm, 6x9cm and 35mm formats. In 2023 his performance MUSIC FOR OTHER WORLDS had its world premiere at the prestigious Adelaide
Festival of Arts, featuring the esteemed pianist Paul Grabowsky responding in real time to a series of his photographs projected.

In 2026 his American Photographic Essay MANIFEST DESTINY premiered at the Adelaide Festival Of Arts to huge acclaim. Rosemary Neil writing for The Australian proclaimed it "the best photographic exhibition I have seen in years."

He has four art books published by Wakefield Press. Simon Caterson, for The Australian, writes: "the last book confirms that Frayne deserves to be thought of alongside Ansel Adams and the other great landscape photographers.' (Landscapes of South Australia, Wakefield Press, 2020).

BOOKS (all published by WAKEFIELD PRESS, ADELAIDE)

-Adelaide Noir, 86pg, 2015
-Theatre of Life, Portraits - 80pg, 2017
-Landscapes of South Australia, 216 pg, 2020 (3 print runs)
-Distance and Desire, 216 pg 2024