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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
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
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
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
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
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
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