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Silver and Grey: Fifty Years of Australian Photography 1900–1950, the publication and exhibition catalogue played a crucial role in the revival of interest in Australian Pictorialism and early Modernism.
Curated by Gael Newton and published by Angus & Robertson in 1980, it sets out a funamental understanding of the transition of Australian photography from Victorian romanticism to the sharp-edged aesthetics of the mid-20th century.
The book tracks the evolution of the medium across five pivotal decades:
The Pictorialist Movement (1900–1920s): Focuses on the "soft-focus" style influenced by European painting.
The Shift to Modernism (1930s): Explores the introduction of "New Photography."
Documentary & Post-War Influence (1940s): Covers the impact of World War II and the shift to social realism and more candid styles.
The collection is notable for bringing together both household names and previously overlooked artists:
Harold Cazneaux: Often called the father of Australian modern photography; key figure in the Sydney Camera Circle.
Olive Cotton: A leader of light and shadow; bridged the gap between commercial work and fine art.
Max Dupain: Iconic for his "Sunbaker" era and the promotion of a distinctively Australian architectural modernism.
John Kauffmann: A pioneer of the soft-focus Pictorialist style in Australia.
Cecil Bostock: Known for his meticulous compositions and influence on the next generation of modernists.
Before this survey, much of Australia’s photographic history was buried in archives or family albums. Silver and Grey helped establish a canon for Australian photography. It validated the medium as a serious subject for art history in Australia, leading to increased acquisitions by major institutions like the National Gallery of Australia (NGA).
While Gael Newton was the primary curator and author, the book often serves as a companion to the permanent collections of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Australia, reflecting the scholarship that emerged during the late 1970s photography boom.
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