Max Dupain on Assignment
A Selection of the Commercial Work of Eminent Australian Photographer Max Dupain
Selling a nation
Max Dupain’s photographs from the 1940s for the Department of Information were used by the Australian Government to promote Australia’s way of life – its fine weather, outdoor activities, cultural pursuits, modern cities and quality education.
North Terrace, Adelaide (1947) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Skiers at Charlotte Pass, Mount Kosciusko (1946) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Sailing boat 'Gazelle' on Hobart waterfront (1947) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Violinist (1971) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Winthrop Hall (left), University of Western Australia (1946) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Showcasing industry
Many of the following photographs were commissions by the Department of Trade during the 1960s and 1970s. Images such as these were used in promotional material aimed at attracting international trade and investment in Australia. Max Dupain’s photographic commissions from the 1960s reveal his strong interest in industrial subjects.
Exterior of Munmorah Power Station (1969) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Store of steel angle bars, McPherson's Ltd (1970) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Exterior of Pyneboard factory (1977) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Workers standing by a large tree, recently felled, in a karri forest (1946) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Workers sawing a large tree in a karri forest (1946) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Cutting sugarcane by hand (1968) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Engaging with architecture
Max Dupain’s commercial career was dominated by his architectural assignments. His modernist approach – his interest in light and shade, strong lines and unusual angles – made him the photographer of choice for many architects. His commissions ranged from the new Sydney skyscrapers to office interiors, from cultural institutions to small domestic projects.
Sydney Opera House (detail) (1969) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales (1971) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Contemporary house interior (1971) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
National Carillion (1970) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
Australian Academy of Science (1968) by Max DupainNational Archives of Australia
This exhibit draws from 'Max Dupain on Assignment', a larger exhibition developed by the National Archives of Australia in 2007, drawing on the government photographic collections held in the Archives. The exhibition toured Australia until 2013.
