Exhibition: Lorrie Graham – Photojournalist

‘The State Library recently acquired the complete photographic archive of Lorrie Graham, comprising more than 100,000 images and negatives created between 1975 and 2025. Together, they form the most comprehensive record of one of Australia’s most distinctive and influential photojournalists. 

Curated by Lorrie Graham, this exhibition is the first major retrospective of her career, showcasing five decades of work that respectfully records significant events and everyday humanity through her distinctive visual storytelling. The exhibition also features an interview with Graham, offering personal reflections on her career, her experiences, and the stories behind the photographs.

‘As a photojournalist, I’m a visual storyteller. I bear witness. My job is to say: I see you, this happened. I’ve had the privilege, through this work, of coming up close to people, places and life-changing events. That comes with a responsibility to whoever is in front of my camera: to record their story with respect, honesty and empathy. The heart of my work has always been the human story.

‘These images are displayed as I captured them; they are not cropped or altered. The words give context but should never dictate what a viewer should see or feel. ‘Photojournalism is not just about the here and now; it’s also about the future. As truth is increasingly blurred and questioned, photographic archives become touchstones for understanding what is real. I hope these photographs continue to speak long after the headlines fade.’ State Library of NSW website.

Photograph above. Lorrie Graham: Cate Blanchett 2002. Silver gelatin print. Collection of State Library of NSW

State Library of NSW, Sydney until 31 October 2027