Young Country is a exhibition that brings together nineteenth-century photography and contemporary poetry to offer a new and often surprising view of New Zealand’s past. Combining the talents of poet, writer and researcher Kerry Hines and the photographic images of William Williams which have been reproduced by international recognised photographer Wayne Barrar for this exhibition.

As a railways employee Williams moved around the country and produced a large body of photographs, largely held in the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Wayne Barrar has created stunning albumen prints of these photographs from their original glass plate negative and lantern slide format.

Kerry Hines has written a series of poems creating a conversation with selected photographs. The result is an exhibition that is multi-faceted, immersive, and speculative, inviting reflection on how we envision our history.

This exhibition is supported by Mahara Gallery.

Toured by Exhibition Services.

Header image: William Williams, Maori Head, Napier Harbour late 1880s. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. Ref. no.: 1/1-025820-G.

Image: William Williams, House interior 188-?. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. Ref. no.: 1/2-140288-G.