Max Dupain (1911–92) is
widely considered to be one of Australia’s greatest photographers. The
National
Archives of Australia and the Noel Butlin Archives Centre at the Australian
National University are fortunate to hold in their collections some of the best
examples of his commercial work, a selection of which is presented in this
exhibition.
Reflecting the documentary style for which he was famous, Dupain’s
photographs of Australia after World War II are important records of a changing
society. Most of the images in this exhibition were taken by Dupain while on
assignment for the Australian Government and were used to promote Australia to
domestic and international audiences. Also featured are photographs taken by
Dupain over many years for one of his earliest clients, CSR Limited (then known
as the Colonial Sugar Refining Company Limited).
Dupain’s photographs evoke a strong sense of time and place, from the capital
cities and rural scenes he captured in the 1940s and 1950s, to the striking
images of architecture and industry he produced in the 1960s and 1970s. This
exhibition showcases the diversity and longevity of Dupain’s commercial career,
tracing his development as a photographer and artist during this time.
Gallery open Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm; Saturday and Sunday 12pm - 4pm;
closed Australia Day (Jan 26).
Mon – Fri, 10am - 5pm, Weekends & Public Holidays, 12noon - 5pm