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Family Fragments
Family Fragments
When photographer and writer Sally McInerney’s aunt found a handful of half-destroyed family photographs in her garage, a labour of love was set in motion.
Sally added these photographs to her own collection, and set out to interview family members and friends to unravel the story behind them.
The resulting artist’s book includes eleven photos by Sally’s mother, the late Olive Cotton - one of Australia’s greatest photographers - which had never before been published.
Location
State Library of New South Wales
1 Shakespeare Place
Sydney
NSW
2000
Australia
Family Fragments
When photographer and writer Sally McInerney’s aunt found a handful of half-destroyed family photographs in her garage, a labour of love was set in motion.
Sally added these photographs to her own collection, and set out to interview family members and friends to unravel the story behind them.
The resulting artist’s book includes eleven photos by Sally’s mother, the late Olive Cotton - one of Australia’s greatest photographers - which had never before been published.
Family Fragments comprises 37 haunting solar plate etchings and handmade paper folders with beautifully handwritten inscriptions by Sally McInerney, providing a rare insight into the private lives of one of Australia's artistic icons and her husband’s family.
Sally McInerney
Ross and John McInerney, 1919 (Grace Bros Studio) from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Jean Lorraine (Olive Cotton) c. 1942 from Family Fragments 2004
Caption on bottom
Sally McInerney
Ross and John McInerney, 1919 (Grace Bros Studio) from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Sally McInerney
Ross and John McInerney, 1919 (Grace Bros Studio) from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Ross and John McInerney, 1919 (Grace Bros Studio) from Family Fragments 2004
Caption on bottom
Sally McInerney
Ross and John McInerney, 1919 (Grace Bros Studio) from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Sally McInerney
Olive Cotton, 1943 (Jean McInerney, nee Lorraine) from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Olive Cotton, 1943 (Jean McInerney, nee Lorraine) from Family Fragments 2004
Caption on bottom
Sally McInerney
Olive Cotton, 1943 (Jean McInerney, nee Lorraine) from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Sally McInerney
Jean and John McInerney (Olive Cotton), c. 1944 from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Jean and John McInerney (Olive Cotton), c. 1944 from Family Fragments 2004
Caption on bottom
Sally McInerney
Jean and John McInerney (Olive Cotton), c. 1944 from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Sally McInerney
Ross McInerney (Olive Cotton), 1942 from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Ross McInerney (Olive Cotton), 1942 from Family Fragments 2004
Caption on bottom
Sally McInerney
Ross McInerney (Olive Cotton), 1942 from Family Fragments 2004
Solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper
State Library of NSW
F/2017
Meet the Curator
Avryl Whitnall
Avryl Whitnall is a Creative Producer in the Exhibitions team and has a long-standing fascination with the State Library’s collections. She has curated exhibitions including The art of Audubon & Gould (2000), Villas of Darlinghurst (2002), Max Dupain – Modernist (2007), Kahlil Gibran: The Prophet, The Artist, The Man (2011), as well as project managing and providing curatorial coordination for over thirty of the State Library’s exhibitions and the Amaze Gallery.
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