Photographing Four Dummies

The set-up of Ross’s Relics — a shop of collectibles and kitsch on Comur Street, Yass — is perhaps more curious than its curios. With nooks suspiciously like bank safes and some two dozen rooms of stock that appear to be dynamited into place, I’m surprised browsers aren’t advised to enter at their own risk.

Of course, this bank heist look is part of its appeal. In fact, junk store fans treat the shop as a museum, a half-day trip down memory lane — “I haven’t seen this since I wore knee high socks,” they sigh, or for my generation, “Grandma owned one of these”.

For me, the shop’s display mannequins are a real treat. I once found a male model split in two, his ‘70s mustached torso lounging on a club sofa, while his trousered legs sat nearby at a grand piano. I recently photographed the row of mannequins outside the front door with my Truview (Diana clone) toy camera. A cross between blow-up dolls and side-show clowns, their mouths are questionably agape and their hair covers the spectrum of fairy-floss colours.

I’ve realised I have a penchant for photographing dummies — the more provocative or ridiculous, the better — so look out for more images of pretend people in future! I’ve realised I have a penchant for photographing dummies — the more provocative or ridiculous, the better — so look out for more images of pretend people in future!