Occupation Displacement by Darrian Traynor

Melbourne photojournalist Darrian Traynor presents Occupation Displacement – a selection of uncommissioned and self-funded work made over three years focusing on stories of people affected by conflict in the Middle East.

© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor

After nine years of war, over five million Syrians have fled their country. The overwhelming majority are now refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Six million people remain internally displaced within Syria.

© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor

In 1948, almost 85% of the Arab population of Palestine became displaced as a result of the creation of the state of Israel. Today, five million of their descendants live in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria – some in official UN camps, others in unofficial “gatherings”.

© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor

"I travelled to Gaza in 2016, Jordan in 2017, and Lebanon in 2018. In my view, the world’s media, all too often, rushes to cover war and conflict and leaves when the bombs stop falling,” Traynor says. “The intention of this body of work is to continue to tell the stories of civilians affected by war long after the conflict has ended. This includes their injuries (both physical and emotional), their displacement, and their new homes, but also their ingenuity and dignity.”

© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor
© Darrian Traynor

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April

Canberra: 27 Feb until 20 July 2025. The National Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive.

Brisbane: Until 13 July 2025. Amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954) extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered only recently. This exhibition is curated by seven Brisbane photographers.

Sydney: Until 31 Dec 2025. 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.

May

Sydney: 15 May – 19 October. Showcasing 100 incredible images, this remarkable exhibition offers a window into the astonishing variety of life on our planet – and the critical importance of preserving it.

Perth: From 31 May – 28 Sept 2025. Featuring 85 works from three major series – Deep Springs, Overpass, and Cross Country – the exhibition spans twelve years of Contis’s evolving photographic practice.

June

Sydney: Until 6 July. Presenting the results of the 2025 World Press Photo Contest, the annual exhibition showcases the best and most important photojournalism and documentary photography of the last year.

Melbourne: June 5 - 16 August 2025. The explore the history of Alan Adler's photobooths and their cultural significance, alongside visual stories told by the community.

Adelaide: 7 June – 16 August. Drawn from the National Portrait Gallery collection, this photographic exhibition captures the experience of lives lived through dance.

Melbourne: 7 June – 31 August. Protest is a Creative Act seeks to address issues around the body, sexuality, race, national identity and the environment.

Canberra; June 19 - July 12 2025. The River Report is a five-day map of when a normal Yitilal (wet season) turned into a major disaster and the local inhabitants were once again displaced.