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‘Suburban Sublime’
Australian Photography
Aug 2024 - Aug 2025

Bill Henson / Australia VIC b.1955 / Untitled #143 (detail) 1985–86 / Type C photograph on paper / Gift of an anonymous donor through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2022. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / © Bill Henson

‘Suburban Sublime’ explores how artists have used the medium of photography to interpret the Australian suburbs. These images from the Gallery’s Collection provide occasion to pause and reflect on familiar settings, places and people, imbuing them with aesthetic, historical and emotional significance. While rationales for capturing ‘suburbia’ vary, these artworks demonstrate the enduring role of photography in enriching the national understanding of scenes from everyday life — whether homely or uncanny.

 

‘Suburban Sublime’ is on display from 10 August 2024 to 17 August 2025 in Gallery 6 of the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Galleries, QAG. As this is a rotating exhibition, not all works listed below will be on display simultaneously.


Feature image: Bill Henson’s Untitled #143 (detail) 1985–86 / Gift of an anonymous donor through the QAGOMA Foundation 2022. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program / © Bill Henson
 

SUBURBAN SUBLIME

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A black-and-white photograph of a man skateboarding on a steep suburban street, with houses and trees stretching out in the background, and a 'NO ENTRY' sign at left.
SUBURBAN SUBLIME

‘Suburban Sublime: Australian Photography’

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Collection artworks featured in ‘Suburban Sublime’

Artwork Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) this artwork made of Pigment print on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) 2007
Artwork Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) this artwork made of Pigment print on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) 2007
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Ponch and Ida (from 'Our mums and us' series) 1976
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Mimi and Danny (from 'Our mums and us' series) 1976
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Untitled #151 1985-86
Artwork Untitled #73 this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1985-01-01

Untitled #73 1985-86
Artwork Banned "I'm banned from that store for a week... I don't care! I'll just keep riding past to the next shop." Amos Jnr. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2019-01-01

Banned "I'm banned from that store for a week... I don't care! I'll just keep riding past to the next shop." Amos Jnr. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) 2019
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Vale Street 1975
Artwork Leaving Birth and Death this artwork made of Chinese ink, fire, giclée print on cold-pressed paper, created in 2018-01-01

Leaving Birth and Death 2018
Artwork (Untitled 12) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 12) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 15) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 15) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 27) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 27) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork Malcolm Enright, designer, Brisbane (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Malcolm Enright, designer, Brisbane (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986-87
Artwork Picturesque Cherbourg no.4 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) this artwork made of Digital print collage on handmade paper, created in 2013-01-01

Picturesque Cherbourg no.4 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) 2013
Artwork Footscray Tech monsters this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1976-01-01

Footscray Tech monsters 1976, printed 1991
Artwork 14 March 1987, Red Hill, Brisbane - The O'Malleys were invited to lunch at the Pooles (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1987-01-01

14 March 1987, Red Hill, Brisbane - The O'Malleys were invited to lunch at the Pooles (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Garments: 3 December 1972-19 March 1973 this artwork made of Type C photographs, black and white, with type-written text on paper on cardboard, created in 1973-01-01

Garments: 3 December 1972-19 March 1973 1973
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

War Savings Streets 1970
Artwork Interior, Cloudland Ballroom, Bowen Hills this artwork made of Black-and-white digital print on paper, created in 1982-01-01

Interior, Cloudland Ballroom, Bowen Hills 1982, printed 2013
Artwork Confined playground, 1974 (from 'Children of the streets and their environment' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1974-01-01

Confined playground, 1974 (from 'Children of the streets and their environment' series) 1974
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork "Mother in living room. Graceville." 1986. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2003-01-01

"Mother in living room. Graceville." 1986. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) 2003
Artwork Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) this artwork made of Pigment print on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) 2007
Artwork Systematically altered photograph: The kitchen (maquette) this artwork made of Photogravure and photocopy on cardboard, created in 1968-01-01

Systematically altered photograph: The kitchen (maquette) 1968
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Ethel and Margot (from 'Our mums and us' series) 1976
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Untitled 1985-86
Artwork Untitled #28 this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1985-01-01

Untitled #28 1985-86
Artwork Untitled #76 this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1985-01-01

Untitled #76 1985-86
Artwork KFC Girls "...to early for photos, we haven't done our hair first!" Leija. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland (Revisited)' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2020-01-01

KFC Girls "...to early for photos, we haven't done our hair first!" Leija. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland (Revisited)' series) 2020
Artwork (Untitled 6) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 6) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 13) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 13) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 19) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 19) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 28) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 28) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork Picturesque Cherbourg no.1 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) this artwork made of Digital print collage on handmade paper, created in 2013-01-01

Picturesque Cherbourg no.1 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) 2013
Artwork Picturesque Cherbourg no.3 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) this artwork made of Digital print collage on handmade paper, created in 2013-01-01

Picturesque Cherbourg no.3 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) 2013
Artwork Picturesque Cherbourg no.6 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) this artwork made of Digital print collage on handmade paper, created in 2013-01-01

Picturesque Cherbourg no.6 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) 2013
Artwork 10 December 1986, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane - Sally was baking scones (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

10 December 1986, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane - Sally was baking scones (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork Good Friday 1987, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane - Gerard and his girlfriend hung out his washing (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1987-01-01

Good Friday 1987, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane - Gerard and his girlfriend hung out his washing (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Stair hall, house at Mermaid Beach this artwork made of Black-and-white digital print on paper, created in 1990-01-01

Stair hall, house at Mermaid Beach 1990, printed 2013
Artwork Hopscotch under crenellation - 2, 1971 (from 'Children of the streets and their environment' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1971-01-01

Hopscotch under crenellation - 2, 1971 (from 'Children of the streets and their environment' series) 1971, printed 1974
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork "Me and Alan, living room. Graceville." 1986. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2003-01-01

"Me and Alan, living room. Graceville." 1986. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) 2003
Artwork Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) this artwork made of Pigment print on paper, created in 2007-01-01

Untitled (from 'Cambridge Road' series) 2007
Artwork Spaces Between Houses - Two Blocks this artwork made of Vintage silver gelatin photographs, hand-printed, created in 1977-01-01

Spaces Between Houses - Two Blocks 1977
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Margaret and Micky (from 'Our mums and us' series) 1976
Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1985-01-01

Untitled 1985-86
Artwork Untitled #13 this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1985-01-01

Untitled #13 1985-86
Artwork Untitled #143 this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper , created in 1985-01-01

Untitled #143 1985-86
Artwork UDL white Holden "Yea take the photo I'm all good... wait, can you get my drinks in it too please? And how my hair look? Should I put my cap back on or not? maybe not." Trey. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on 310gsm cotton rag art paper, created in 2019-01-01

UDL white Holden "Yea take the photo I'm all good... wait, can you get my drinks in it too please? And how my hair look? Should I put my cap back on or not? maybe not." Trey. (from 'Adolescent Wonderland' series) 2019
Artwork Write, erase, re-write this artwork made of Chinese ink, fire, and giclée print on cold-pressed paper, created in 2018-01-01

Write, erase, re-write 2018
Artwork (Untitled 8) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 8) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 18) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 18) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork (Untitled 3) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1978-01-01

(Untitled 3) (from 'Christmas holiday with Bob's family, Queensland, 1978' series) 1978-79
Artwork Picturesque Cherbourg no.2 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) this artwork made of Digital print collage on handmade paper, created in 2013-01-01

Picturesque Cherbourg no.2 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit landscapes' series) 2013
Artwork Picturesque Cherbourg no.5 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit Landscapes' series) this artwork made of Digital print collage on handmade paper, created in 2013-01-01

Picturesque Cherbourg no.5 (from 'Picturesque Cherbourg' series within the 'Spirit Landscapes' series) 2013
Artwork On the Willy train this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1976-01-01

On the Willy train 1976, printed 1991
Artwork 13 March 1987, Gordon Park, Brisbane - Jenny watered the plants on her verandah in the morning (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1987-01-01

13 March 1987, Gordon Park, Brisbane - Jenny watered the plants on her verandah in the morning (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1987
Artwork Holden Park 1, March 1970 & Holden Park 2, May 1970 this artwork made of Type C photographs, colour on paper on cardboard, created in 1970-01-01

Holden Park 1, March 1970 & Holden Park 2, May 1970 1970
Artwork View of my opposite neighbours in Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, 1972 (from 'Views from my windows' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1972-01-01

View of my opposite neighbours in Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, 1972 (from 'Views from my windows' series) 1972
Artwork Old Indooroopilly Bridge - prior to Great Flood this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1880-01-01

Old Indooroopilly Bridge - prior to Great Flood c.1890
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods this artwork made of Albumen photograph on paper, created in 1893-01-01

Construction of new Indooroopilly Bridge after floods c.1893-95
Artwork "House at Graceville." Brisbane. 1970. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2003-01-01

"House at Graceville." Brisbane. 1970. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) 2003
Artwork "Mother eating breakfast." Graceville. 1990. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 2003-01-01

"Mother eating breakfast." Graceville. 1990. (from 'About my mother' portfolio) 2003

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