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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. 

PAST EXHIBITION
Exhibition
Saturday 13 February 2016 to Sunday 8 May 2016
Admission: Free

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.

Jean Lorraine (Olive Cotton)  c. 1942  from Family Fragments 2004 solar plate photoJean Lorraine (Olive Cotton)  c. 1942  from Family Fragments 2004 solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle pape etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper

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

Ross and John McInerney, 1919 (Grace Bros Studio)  from Family Fragments 2004 solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper

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

Olive Cotton, 1943 (Jean McInerney,  nee Lorraine) from Family Fragments 2004 solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper

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

Jean and John McInerney (Olive Cotton),  c. 1944  from Family Fragments 2004 solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper

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

Ross McInerney (Olive Cotton), 1942 from Family Fragments 2004 solar plate photo etching, typescript text on Hahnemuhle paper

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, exhibition curator sits at her desk in the State Library offices.

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.