One of the exhibitions, Contemporising the Modern: Photography from the Russell Mills Collection, features more than 50 works from Max Dupain and Olive Cotton right through to contemporary work by Bill Henson and Narelle Autio.

Russell Mills began collecting photography in the 1990s. Over an 18-year period he collected major images by recognised Australian photographers. 

Also well represented in the Mills collection is the work of Max Dupain including the iconic Sunbaker , which has become synonymous with the advent of modernism in Australian Photography.

The second exhibition ‘Unfinished Business’ is also now also on display and reveals the visual stories of 30 Australian Indigenous persons with disability by photographer Belinda Mason and film makers Knierim Brothers.

Each participant’s story is complex and intertwined with Australia’s history, which has resulted in today’s high rates of disability in Australian Indigenous communities.

The exhibition was developed in close collaboration with Indigenous participants.

The exhibition also commemorates the ninth Anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s First People.

Tamworth Regional Gallery Director Bridget Guthrie encouraged local photography and history enthusiasts to come along to the Gallery during February to view the exhibitions.

“We are lucky to be able to host these special exhibitions during February, one marking iconic Australia photographs and one marking the stories of 30 Indigenous persons with a disability,” she said.

“The exhibitions have both arrived at the Gallery and residents can visit from tomorrow to take in the amazing photographs and the significant stories behind the lens.” 

Both exhibitions are available for viewing now at the Tamworth Regional Gallery.