John Frank Williams (1933–2016) was an Australian photographer, educator, historian, and critic. As the first head of photography at Sydney College of the Arts, he played a major role in establishing photography as a serious academic discipline, particularly in Sydney, and Australia. His photographic work, primarily documentary in nature, encapsulated the raw character of Australian society during the 1960s and 1970s. Williams authored seven books on Australian cultural history.
Early Life and Education
Williams was born in Sydney in 1933 to Anne (Anita) McDonnell, an accomplished violinist and Francis Edward Williams, a World War I veteran who emigrated from Liverpool, England, in 1925. Raised in Maroubra, he attended Sydney Technical High School before studying mechanical engineering at Sydney Technical College. Although he worked as a draughtsman, he pursued interests in history, politics, and photography.
Photographic Career
Williams taught himself photographic technologies in the late 1950s. His passion for humanist photography was sparked by The Family of Man exhibition catalogue given to him by his wife Rosemary Simpson in 1958. He initially joined camera clubs but found their focus on traditional styles limiting. Instead, he turned to foreign photography books and magazines from the Sydney Public Library for inspiration.
His early work was heavily influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” and W. Eugene Smith’s photojournalism. By the mid-1960s, Williams was accomplished in realist street photography.
Europe
In 1965, Williams traveled overland to London with his first wife, Rosemary Simpson. During his five years in Europe, he produced a significant body of work influenced by British photographers like Tony Ray-Jones. He exhibited with Raymond Moore as part of the Group of Seven at the Architectural Association Gallery in London in 1967. His European photographs often juxtaposed spontaneity with complex compositions as his style evolved.
Return to Australia
Retreating to Australia in 1969 due to financial constraints, Williams documented a society undergoing rapid change. His photographs from this period include iconic series such as Rocks Pub Crawl (1973), which explored Australian pub culture with a mixture of affection and critique.
In 1974, Williams transitioned fully into the arts sector when he joined the newly formed Australian Centre for Photography as an artist and curator. He also began writing reviews for publications such as The Australian (1973-76) and The Age. That same year marked the end of his first marriage and the beginning of his partnership with Dutch-born photographer Ingeborg Tyssen, with whom, and in partnership with Paul Cox and Rod McNicol, he founded The Photograhers’ Gallery in Melbourne.
Academic
In 1976, Williams became the founding head of photography and film at Sydney College of the Arts. Under his leadership, the department became a hub for innovative photographic education. His teaching emphasised both technical mastery and critical engagement with contemporary photographic trends.
Writing and Historical Work
Williams authored seven books, and the first,_Quarantined Culture _(1995), examined Australia’s shift from pre-war cosmopolitanism to post-war insularity. His later works continued to explore themes of memory and identity through historical analysis.
In addition to his books, Williams was known internationally for his audio-visual presentations combining his skills as a cultural historian and photographer.
Legacy
Williams’ retrospective at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 1989 highlighted three decades of work (1958–1988) from Anzac Day marches to rebellious youth culture and the myths of national identity.
In his later years, Williams embraced digital photography but remained critical of its impact on traditional darkroom techniques. His panoramic works from this period reflect his ongoing experimentation with form and narrative.
John Frank Williams passed away on July 30, 2016, in Hobart. His works are held in major national collections and notable posthumous exhibitions include Thresholds (2024) at Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), which featured his works alongside other prominent Australian artists.
Williams described himself as “a photographer who wrote history and a historian who took photographs.”
Personal Life
Williams married three times: first to Rosemary Simpson; then to Ingeborg Tyssen, who tragically died in an accident in The Netherlands in 2002; and finally to Jean Curthoys, with whom he relocated to Hobart in his final years.
- Writers:
-
James McArdle
- Date written:
- 2025
- Last updated:
- 2025
