The Basement

Photography from Prahran College (1968-1981)

Museum of Australian Photography

1 March - 25 May 2025

In May 1968, the newly formed Photography Department of Prahran Technical School (known as Prahran College of Advanced Education (PCAE) from 1973), moved into the basement of a freshly completed art and design building on the corner of High Street and Thomas Street in Melbourne's inner south-eastern suburb of Prahran. Here, for the first time in Australia, in what would become one of the country's most progressive art schools, photography was taught as an artform.

It was in this basement that a generation of photographic artists was taught by a group of passionate and experienced photographers. Their teachings went beyond technical ability and commercial intent to encompass the role of imagination, creativity and freedom of expression. This inspirational style of teaching impacted the work produced by the students and influenced their approach to photography.

Curated by Angela Connor (MAPh Senior Curator) and Stella Loftus-Hills (MAPh Curator) The basement gathers works from almost 60 artists, traversing over 13 years of image-making and adjacent subcultures in music, protest, fashion and art criticism. This landmark exhibition will deliver new research into the canon of Australia's cultural history through its assembled works and attendant publication.

Photo by Carol Jerrems included in the exhibition