Concrete Playground

Portrait of a Distant Land brings together six bodies of photographer Ricky Maynard’s work, varying in style and subject. His most recent photo series, and his first ever series are displayed together in the first room and there is a nice counterpoint as we see Maynard’s development in style and perspective, yet constancy in tone.

The iconic first series, The Moonbird People, documents the muttonbirding season in Tasmania and highlights include Rookery, Trefoil Island, an elegantly composed and textured image, and the exhausted figure in Jason Thomas, the last evening load.

Providing a unique historical context to the show is another exhibition upstairs which is curated by Maynard. Here he displays those documentary photographers who have informed his practice, including Dorothea Lange, Paul Strand, Walker Evans and Lewis Hine.


Image: Ricky Maynard, Untitled from the series No More Than What You See 1994, 29 x 46 cm, black and white gelatin silver print, courtesy the artist and Stills Gallery Sydney.