About

Join us for a special floor talk with Anne O'Hehir, Curator of Photography at the National Gallery of Australia, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Max Dupain and Ansel Adams: In search of perfection.

Bringing her extensive knowledge of Australian and international photography, Anne O’Hehir offers unique insight into this landmark exhibition, which explores the remarkable parallels between two of the twentieth century’s most influential photographers: Max Dupain and Ansel Adams.

Though working on opposite sides of the Pacific, Dupain and Adams shared an unwavering commitment to technical mastery, clarity of vision, and the pursuit of photographic excellence. This exhibition reveals how each artist shaped the visual identity of their respective nations — from Dupain’s iconic modernist studies of Australia’s beaches and built environments to Adams’ majestic portrayals of the American wilderness.

In this engaging floor talk, Anne will discuss the curatorial vision behind the exhibition, the dialogue between these two photographers, and the enduring legacy of their work. Audiences will gain deeper insight into the artistic philosophies, technical innovation, and cultural contexts that informed their practice.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Australia’s leading photography curators and to experience the exhibition through an expert lens.

Free event, bookings essential

About Anne O’Hehir

Anne O’Hehir is Curator of Photography at the National Gallery of Australia, where she works across the Australian and International collections, seeking to bring historical and contemporary photographic practice into dialogue and to explore how the past informs the present. Over her career, she has curated and co-curated a broad range of exhibitions, including projects on Carol Jerrems, Diane Arbus, Olive Cotton and Nan Goldin, and has written extensively on photography. She has contributed to major displays and touring exhibitions that have broadened public engagement with the medium. The first touring exhibition she was involved in was a presentation of photographs by American photographers Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter, curated by the National Gallery’s then Senior Curator of Photography, Gael Newton – an early experience that sparked a lasting engagement with Adams’ work and the themes explored in this exhibition.

Date

Sunday 21 June 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (UTC+10)

Location

Bayside Gallery
Corner Wilson and Carpenter Streets, Brighton Victoria 3186

Phone: (03) 9261 7111

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