A Secret Tear — Adam Maclay, photographer

A Secret Tear — Adam Maclay, photographer

Adam Maclay

Te Puna Foundation Gallery
National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington

23 November 2024 - 15 March 2025

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.

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.