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                    Ink in the Blood

                    Black and white photo of news stand
                    Ink in the Blood maps the vivid life of Melbourne’s big newspapers and their deep imprint on the city, its culture and collective psyche.

                    ​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 

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