Studio portrait of an unidentified young woman with two husky dogs, including a puppy, possibly Christchurch district, by Adam Maclay. Ref:1/2-163391-G Alexander Turnbull Library.
A Secret Tear — Adam Maclay, photographer
23 November 2024–15 March 2025
Monday–Friday, 9am to 5pm | Saturday, 9am to 1pm
Te Puna Foundation Gallery, Ground floor
Free entry
Explore Adam Maclay’s evocative photography in an exhibition, which provides a close up view of the people of Christchurch at a point in time through a selection of singular, poignant portraits and scenes of everyday life.
A glimpse into Christchurch life (1890 to 1940)
Looking at photographs in the Alexander Turnbull Library is to eventually come across the collection of Adam Maclay (1873–1955), and to wonder what lies therein. With nearly 7,000 images, to get a sense of his work and recognise the signature of it takes some time.
A typical studio collection of the period in some ways, in others it is marked by Maclay’s knack for creating singular and arresting images. His photographs provide evidence of time and place — Christchurch and region, 1890–1940 —and of subjects such as war, family, sport, picnics, weddings, children.
They show the mechanics of studio portraiture; the backcloth, and the rug or blanket on the ground to stand on. They also show the fashion for the pompadour hairstyle, dressing well, the importance of social occasions, places of work and play, and house pride. It is a collection that summons up a past world in a fashion that conveys its immediacy.
This exhibition begins our Focus on Photography, designed to complement the presence of A Different Light: first photographs of Aotearoa, which opens at the Adam Gallery in February 2025, and more broadly to promote the photographic collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Feature image at top of page: Detail from portrait of an unidentified woman wearing a striped jockey's outfit and cap by Adam Maclay. Ref: 1/2-185902-G Alexander Turnbull Library.