19 May - 24 June 2007
A National Gallery of Victoria touring exhibition.
The top end of Collins Street in Melbourne is affectionately known by locals and tourists alike as ‘The Paris End’, with its cosmopolitan boutiques, cafes and tree-lined streets.But from the 1900s to the 1950s, not only was this the most glamorous end of the city, it was also the home to Melbourne’s artistic community, with many artists, writers, performers and musicians living and working at the top end of town.
The Paris End: Photography, Fashion and Glamour opening at Bendigo Art Gallery on 19 May, takes an in-depth look at what was a thriving creative and artistic precinct that, during the first half of the twentieth century, reflected the changing face of Melbourne.
The exhibition will bring together commercial and fashion photography from the 1900s to the 1950s. It comprises approximately 90 photographs.
The Paris End will showcase the work of some of Melbourne’s most well-known photographers from this period, including Athol Shmith, Jack Cato, Julian Smith, May and Mina Moore, Ruth Hollick, Helmut Newton, Henry Talbot and Wolfgang Sievers, all of whom had established studios in this arts precinct.
NGV Curator, Photography, Susan van Wyk, says: ‘These photographers were outstanding practitioners of commercial work, specialising in portraiture, celebrity and theatrical photographs, advertising and fashion photography.’
Indemnification for this exhibition is provided by the Victorian Government.
Bruno Benini
born 1925 Italy, arrived Australia 1935, died 2001
No title (Fashion illustration. Model Janet Dawson,
Eastern Markets, Melbourne) 1957, printed 1998
gelatin silver photograph
58.2 x 48.0 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1998
© Courtesy of the Estate of Bruno Benini