If you have ever seen an exhibition of classic black and white photos from Australia, the chances are you've seen a Max Dupain photo. His work is iconic and simply everywhere.
Max Dupain (1911–1992) was Australia's most famous black and white photographer of the 20th century. His photography was influenced by European modernism. It was a huge break from the traditional soft focus, romantic style of Australian photography. It wasn't dreamy landscape portraits of eucalyptus trees or wheatfields. His work was sharp and jagged, with strong, clean lines and the light and dark often clashing with each other.
You would be hard pressed to find a Max Dupain photo of a koala. He was drawn to the industrial. He would capture the clinical elegance of grain silos or the slicing angles of steelworks. There was always a brooding tension in each image. It was like seeing Australia through a Gothic or Bauhaus lens.
His photos showed Australia through a unique perspective. He could find pathos in a steel bucket and menace in a pillar. Even his landscape shots are highly stylised. National Archives of Australia holds much of his work. There's a diverse range of photographs from cities to the outback, lonely suburban streets and fascinating character studies. Search for Max Dupain on RecordSearch, or enjoy a selection of his work below.
