The Library is in the process of purchasing a substantial part of the Rennie Ellis Collection, an extraordinary visual record of Australia's social history and popular culture in the last decades of the 20th century. This acquisition will ensure that this unique resource is preserved for the future and made freely accessible to researchers, historians and the general public.

Support the Rennie Ellis Collection Appeal
Help the Library to purchase and preserve a unique visual record of Victoria's social history! In late March, the Library Foundation launched an appeal to raise funds to support the acquisition. For information about the appeal, visit State Library of Victoria Rennie Ellis Collection Appeal

Up Close traces the significant legacy of Australian photographer Carol Jerrems [1949-1980], and situates her work alongside that of other photo-based artists from the 1970s and 1980s Larry Clark and Nan Goldin from New York, and William Yang from Sydney. Sharing an interest in sub-cultural groups and individuals on the margins of society, each artist has a remarkable capacity to provide an empathetic glimpse into semi-private worlds through intimate depictions of people and their surroundings. An extensive display of Jerrems's photographs and films drawn from across her career will be complemented by Clarks' images of teenagers including from his Tulsa portfolio 1971; Yang's celebratory images of Sydney's gay scene in the 1970s and Goldin's The Ballad of Sexual Dependency a photographic slide work chronicling the lives of her friends, family and lovers.

Newly discovered prints by Jerrems are included as well as rare archival material from Jerrems' family. Works by Rennie Ellis from the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive are displayed in the exhibition including two colour portraits of Carol from 1970. Up Close is guest curated for Heide by Natalie King.

A survey of Australian documentary photography from the 1950s to the 1970s, Candid Camera comprises more than eighty photographs by renowned Australian photographers, including Max Dupain, David Moore, Jeff Carter, Robert McFarlane, Mervyn Bishop, Rennie Ellis, Carol Jerrems and Roger Scott.

From crooked police, politicians and judges, through to the shysters, hucksters and thugs who ran Sydney's sub terrain, few cities have experienced such overt corruption as Sydney during the 20th century. Organised crime held a grip on the city and corruption was rife, infiltrating the top levels of politics, law and justice.

Focusing on the 1940s to the 1980s, the new Sin City exhibition at the Justice & Police Museum will examine some of the audacious crimes, fascinating people and various vice trades - from suburban bookmakers and sly-grog sellers to narcotics dealers and flashy illegal casinos - that bankrolled corruption.

We are pleased to announce that Mossgreen Gallery is our new Victorian Representative. Mossgreen Gallery is located at 310 Toorak Road near the corner of Chapel Street in the hub of Melbourne's South Yarra retail and lifestyle zone.

The gallery directors Paul Sumner and Amanda Swanson, have many years experience in the arts. Paul Sumner has twenty five years experience working in International and Australian Auction Houses, and was previously Managing Director of Sotheby's innovative auction house in Hammersmith, London and before that was managing director of Sotheby's Australia. Amanda Swanson has a Bachelor of Arts and ten years experience in fashion and the arts, most recently as the Manager of Arthouse Gallery in Sydney.

The Middle Park Hotel boutique accommodation is nearing completion as the final touches are being put into the unique 25 room hotel designed by architects Six Degrees.

We are delighted to announce that photographs by Rennie Ellis have been selected to feature on the walls of these luxurious and stylish rooms.

Rennie Ellis and fellow photographer Wesley Stacey spent the summer of 1970-71 in Kings Cross, getting to know the locals and delving behind the scenes. Together they captured the sights, sounds and pulsating rhythms of life on the streets, in the clubs and residences of Sydney's infamous red light district. It was the 'summer of love' and the Cross was as much a magnet for long-haired pilgrims and avant-garde artists as it was for US servicemen on leave from Vietnam. This exhibition of their photos reveals moments of joy and pathos, the surface glitter and what was going on backstage, providing a fascinating portrait of life 'up the Cross' at a unique moment in time.

Proudly sponsored by ILFORD