The Presidents: from JFK to Obama by David Burnett

Venue: Gasworks
Location: 21 Graham Street, Albert Park, VIC 3206
7 Jun - 26 Jun, 2016
Web: http://www.gasworks.org.au/whats-on/the-presidents-exhibition/

© David Burnett. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle take a brief break for ice cream after speaking at a campaign rally in Davenport, Iowa, 2013.

Leading American photojournalist, David Burnett is one of the very few photographers to have photographed all US Presidents since John F. Kennedy. In 1963, Burnett’s final year of high school, his mother took him to see Kennedy speak in downtown Salt Lake City. A chance moment and a borrowed camera led to a lifelong career. He began working as a freelancer for Time Magazine, and later for Life, in the 1960s.

He co-founded Contact Press Images in 1976 with Robert Pledge and has worked in over 70 countries. His many awards in a long career include the Robert Capa Gold Medal, multiple World Press Photo Awards and World Press Photo of the Year. This work was originally presented at the Australian Centre for Photography in partnership with Reportage Festival.

© David Burnett. Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, with their interpreters, during their first summit, Geneva, 1985.

© David Burnett. Jimmy Carter addresses a small crowd in the kitchen of a volunteer before the New Hampshire primary, 1976

© David Burnett. Bill Clinton, during his re-election campaign, at an event in Springfield, MA, 1996.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

May

PIX – The magazine that changed everything (1938-1972)

Sydney: Until 16 August 2026. PIX, Australia’s first pictorial news weekly, is brought to life in this exhibition, showcasing its archived images and stories for the very first time.

1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney State Library of NSW | 1 May - 16 Aug, 2026

Rehearsing the City exhibition

Melbourne: Until March 2027. Rehearsing the City presents archival photographs from Victoria’s government collections, alongside new work by contemporary street photographers.

99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne VIC, Australia Victorian Archives Centre and Gallery | 21 May, 2026 - 31 Mar, 2027

June

Mervyn Bishop: Close Up

Sydney: Until 7 Feb 2027. From his archive of more than 200,000 images, Close Up celebrates the historic moments and pivotal people he famously captured.

1 Shakespeare Place Sydney NSW 2000 State Library of NSW | 1 Jun, 2026 - 7 Feb, 2027

Trent Parke: The Christmas tree bucket

Canberra: Until 6 Sept 2026. Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas.

National Gallery of Australia (NGA) Parkes Place East, Parkes ACT 2600 | 1 Jun - 6 Sep, 2026

Brook Andrew | Rollercoaster: Winhangadurinya in motion

Melbourne: 6 June – 20 August 2026. Brook Andrew is an artist whose conceptual practice shifts across photography, performance, moving image, installation, public space and research, often through deep collaboration with artists, communities and friends.

860 Ferntree Gully Road Wheelers Hill Victoria 3150 Museum of Australian Photography | 6 Jun - 30 Aug, 2026

Through Muninjali eyes: photojournalist Wayne Coolwell

Brisbane: until 18 October 2026. Known affectionately as the ‘Cool Cat of journalism’ Wayne moved effortlessly among the greats, between the media and community, treating every encounter as part of his day’s work behind the lens.

Stanley Place, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 State Library of Queensland | 17 Jun - 18 Oct, 2026

July

Hydrangea Transitions

Melbourne: Until 30 Spetember 2026. Melbourne photographer Stefanie Wendler-Canning is inviting visitors to see one of the garden's most familiar flowers from an entirely different perspective in her new exhibition.

148 Drummond Street, Oakleigh, Vic, 3166 Oakleigh Library | 27 Jul - 30 Sep, 2026