Collection Online
Medium
gelatin silver photograph
Measurements
27.0 × 27.1 cm (image)
Inscription
inscribed in fibre-tipped pen l.l.: CLAPHAM JUNCTION
inscribed in fibre-tipped pen l.r.: J Williams '66
Accession Number
PH87-1989
Department
Australian Photography
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1989
© John Williams
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work

Like many young Australians John Williams spent time living and working in London, where he photographed the various protest marches in the city streets. In Williams’ photograph Clapham Junction 1966, a young girl in the crowd at a peace march becomes emblematic of a generation. Williams counter-poses the ‘innocence of youth’ with an understanding of the horror of war. The girl’s knowing gaze suggests an insight into the world beyond her years, reflecting the sense of responsibility for world peace assumed by a vocal and demonstrative generation of young people.