5 October 2017 to 17 February 2018
This is a story of busy hands and ticking clocks – the vigorous daily race against time to reflect the city’s life and personality, and connect it to the world beyond. It was an immense hands-on undertaking by huge labour forces, many using now-exotic manual skills.
From industrial workers steeped in ink to suited gentlemen presiding over their print empires, there were ranks of reporters, editors, photographers, typists, compositors, printers, truck-drivers and newsboys.
This massive industry forged essential connections as the life-blood of the city. It fostered a thirst for news and connection, and a sense of belonging in the evolving city, all keenly tied to papers flying hot off the presses throughout the day.
Ink in the Blood featured work by Ron Tandberg, Angus O’Callaghan, Mark Strizic, Kenny Pittock and Stephen Armstrong.
Curated by Andrew Stephens
Andrew Stephens is a writer and editor. A former
Age journalist (1987-2016), he worked as a reporter, subeditor and feature writer. He did his cadetship at
The Sun News-Pictorial (1983-87) when there were still typewriters. He is now editor of
Imprint magazine for the Print Council of Australia, and a contributing writer to visual arts magazines such as
Art Monthly and
Art Guide.
Photo credit
Angus O’Callaghan
News Stand Flinders Street, c1970
Image courtesy of Angus O’Callaghan