Tamara Dean: Leave Only Footprints
As the first survey exhibition of Tamara Dean’s career spanning over 20 years, this collection highlights the evolution of a major voice in Australian photomedia.
Before establishing her conceptual practice, Dean spent over a decade as a photojournalist for the Sydney Morning Herald (2001–2014), where she developed a reputation for capturing rare, introspective moments of human connection.
The birth of her first child became a major catalyst for change, shifting her focus toward conceptual photography that champions the natural world and our place within it.
Across 11 key bodies of work, Dean investigates the transitional thresholds of our lives – rituals, rites of passage, and the maternal experience.
Every piece is underpinned by a fierce desire to protect the environment we belong to. By integrating scent, installation, and moving image alongside her signature photography, Dean creates an immersive environment that speaks directly to the senses.
The exhibition runs until Sunday 2 August 2026 at Manly Art Gallery & Museum, 1a West Esplanade. Manly NSW 2095.
