Experience Gold Coast beach culture from the 60s, 70s and 80s immortalised by acclaimed photographer Graham Burstow.
During the 60s, 70s and 80s the region boomed as tourists and locals alike flocked to the shores for a chance at a relaxed and sun-kissed life; filled with beer belly contests, muttonbird tanning oil and sun girl quests.
This was an era prior to the internet and digital photography. Amateur photographer and social documentarian, Graham Burstow – on annual family holidays from Toowoomba during the 60s, 70s and 80s – moved freely among the crowds, contestants and modest props chatting and photographing human interactions and shapes on very close-up and public display.
His black-and-white hand-printed images capture the essence of this special era at the Gold Coast, and yet are timeless in terms of the stories and emotions they convey.
- INSPIRED BY – Family holidays / The Australian experience / The ugliness and beauty of the human condition.
- Graham Burstow has been a passionate black-and-white stills photographer for over seventy years. His silver gelatin prints have been acquired by the National Library of Australia, State Library of Queensland and Queensland Art Gallery and appeared in solo and group exhibitions locally, nationally and internationally. In 2004, he was presented with an Order of Australia Medal for Services to Photography in Australia.
