New Light: Photography Now + Then Museum of Brisbane

‘With the power to freeze and preserve time, photography has captured imaginations for centuries. This August, step into New Light: Photography Now + Then, an exhibition where past and present converge in a mesmerising display of photography spanning 1890 to 2024.’

Alfred Henrie Elliott’s photography is a singular record of Brisbane from 1890 to 1940.CREDIT: CITY OF BRISBANE COLLECTION, MUSEUM OF BRISBANE

‘Artist Joachim Froese found himself drawn to this group portrait and what it says about gender politics of the time. His 2024 re-imagining isolates each family member onto separate smartphones and tablets.

“But he’s rearranged the order,” explains Museum of Brisbane curator Elena Dias-Jayasinha. “So now Dorothy is in the centre, and she’s holding the toy boat, and her brother is holding the doll.”

Instead of a frown, Dorothy now sports a wide smile. “Disrupting the hierarchy. That’s what his work is all about.”