For many Australians, the early 1970s are an era that conjours up images of bad fashion, tumultous social protest and economic decline.
But beyond these popular notions, ordinary people saw great changes in their environment and everyday lives, and no place was as great as inner Sydney.
Photographer Leon Gregory's exhibition 'At Last – The Seventies' in the Head On Photo Festival is part of a larger collection of images taken in Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Woolloomooloo, The Domain, the CBD, Glebe and Balmain, from 1970 to 1973.
On show from 24 May - 13 June, the works graphically illustrate the 40-year transformation of inner Sydney and its people. Shown are ordinary citizens going about their daily lives, traditional street documentary subjects.
By combining strong composition with familiar narrative themes, Gregory examines the quirky, humorous and sometimes touching moments that are woven in to the tapestry of people's everday lives.
Exhibition goers can enjoy a collection that has not been previously shown. The original negatives of these works have only recently been recovered and digitized. Many of the images are to be acquired for the permanent collection of the State Library of NSW.
The exhibition is at Gingko Gallery, 166 St Johns Road, Glebe. Opening hours are 9am-5pm, Tuesday to Friday and 10am-2pm, Saturday.
'Cornered.' Photo by Leon Gregory.
'Mates.' Photo by Leon Gregory.
'The Unseen Hand.' Photo by Leon Gregory.