Exhibition Curator Ozan Fikri said he recently had the pleasure of meeting with fellow Narrandera resident Mark Wilkie and their conversation took an unexpected turn when he mentioned his roots in Cyprus.
To his surprise, Mark revealed that he had worked on boats there in his youth. As the men continued to chat, Ozan discovered that Mark’s impressive background extended beyond his law enforcement career.
Mark has many years of experience as a journalistic photographer, with his work published in prestigious outlets such as the International Herald Tribune, Der Spiegel, the New York Post, Time Magazine and Newsweek.
His journey in photography began in 1968 when he joined the Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune in New Zealand as a cadet newspaper photographer. His first published image – a motor vehicle accident – hitting the press in May 1969.
Over the years, he has captured everything from the excitement of the All-Black Rugby Tour in Australia to the intense moments of the Iran Revolution. Between 1976 and 1979, he worked as a photographer and picture editor for UPI in Brussels, covering significant events like Grand Prix motor car racing and the French Presidential Election.
His accolades include a bronze medal in the 1973-1974 Nikon International World Photographic Competition, showcasing his talent on a global scale.
Now, Mark is set to share his work with the community in a special exhibition featuring 14 of his voyeur pictures.
This presentation will be the first time these images have been printed in this format and will be offered for sale, each signed by the photographer himself. The exhibition promises to highlight Mark’s unique perspective and mastery of black-and-white photography.
The opening night of the exhibition is at 6pm on Tuesday 27 May and Ozri is encouraging everyone to come out and support Sergeant Wilkie,whom he described as a true local treasure whose work has transcended borders and left an indelible mark on the world of photography.
“This is an event not to be missed, as we celebrate the artistic talents of a man who has given so much to our community – an exceptional police officer and an extraordinary photographer,” said Ozan.
Men combine to make exhibition a reality
How the exhibition came about: Ozan and Mark first met through local connections.
Cinema photographer and one of the owners of The Yard in Narrandera, Ozan (Oz) Fikri said he first met Mark Wilkie shortly after arriving in Narrandera with his wife Caz and their two children.
“Most will know Mark as Sgt Wilkie from the time when he was one of the senior police officers in Narrandera or for his active involvement in the Narrandera Rotary Club, the Narrandera Men’s Shed or the local community foundation Narrandera Community and Friends,” said Ozan.
“However, it wasn’t until sometime much later when I was telling Mark that my family came from Cyprus and I had just returned from there after a video filming trip that Mark said ‘I’ve been there’. Been where I said. He replied ‘Cyprus’. What do you mean you have been to Cyprus.’
“It was then I started to learn about the amazing adventures of Mark as an international newspaper photographer prior to becoming a NSW Police officer in 1998.
“Do you have any of your photos?” I asked. ‘A few he replied. Can I see them? ‘Sure’.
“And few days, later Mark shows me some of his photos and his clippings books. A few photos, turns out to be tens of photos stored in used photographic paper boxes and four A3 scrapbooks with the actual clippings of photos taken by him and published in international publications like the International Herald-Tribune, Der Spiegel Magazine, New York Post, Time Magazine and Newsweek Magazine; along with copies of letters from various international media persons commending him on his pictures and their publication in their respective newspapers or magazines.
“The incredible thing is my interest motivated Mark to scan the majority of his black and white negatives and colours transparencies, commonly known as slides. His total scanned images may run into thousands. From his first published photo of a car crash in May 1969 to photos taken in and around Narrandera represents to date, a 49 year period of photography time.”
Ozan said that first conversation with Mark was what led to the exhibition of the 13 photographs he selected in consultation with Mark on display at The Lounge on the corner of East and Douglas Streets, Narrandera.
“In the space I have, I cannot hope to show all his photos. What I have attempted to do is introduce to everyone some of his amazing images of people in amazing places. I have also attempted to show some of the amazing places he has been, some of the incredible photographic assignments he has been on and how international magazines and newspapers have chosen his images and published them,” he said.
The exhibition will have its official opening at 6pm on Tuesday 27 May 2025 at the Coco Lounge, 78-80 East Street, Narrandera.
This article appeared in Narrandera Argus, 22 May 2025.
