Coffee with the Curator: William Yang's Mardi Gras

A floor talk by curator Allister Mills exploring the new collection-in-focus display highlighting William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003.

'There was abstraction, colour and movement, and a certain innocent joie de vivre.'

William Yang

People parading at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

William Yang, Abstract colour designs on parade float, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, 1985, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136925205

William Yang is an iconic and celebrated Australian photographer, performer, artist and filmmaker. Starting his career in fashion photography, he quickly turned to social documentary photography.

The 24 images in this display explore four themes: Protest, Community, Art and Remembrance.

More to explore

A tall man and shorter woman in the Treasures Gallery looking at a large black and white photo of the Library's main reading room taken in the 1960s. A woman in a pink top is looking at a framed artwork nearby.

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Participants in the 1995 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade carry large, colourful, abstract posters, flags and sculptures. The scene is set at night with vibrant shapes, patterns, and faces on display.

William Yang, Abstract colour designs on parade float, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, 1985, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136925205

William Yang's Mardi Gras

‘There was abstraction, colour and movement, and a certain innocent joie de vivre.’ – William Yang

Exhibition

Event details

22 Aug 2024 – 22 Aug 2024

10:30am – 12:00pm

$18 Members | $22 Non-members

Friends Lounge, Treasures Gallery

Past event

Collection talk

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