New Powerhouse photo commission focuses in on NSW's night-time culture

A new photography co-commission that showcases the diverse night-time culture of New South Wales has been announced by Powerhouse and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.

Four NSW photographers have been selected to capture a series of photographs taken across Sydney’s Inner City, Western Sydney and Regional NSW that depict the diversity and breadth of contemporary nightlife.

The images will contribute to a photographic record that will be used to promote NSW, and will be exhibited next year.

Photojournalist Andrew Quilty is a six-time Walkley Award winner, including the Gold Walkley, journalism’s highest honour. He is best known for his thought-provoking documentation of the impacts of war on communities, including in Afghanistan, where he spent a decade before recently returning to Australia.

Northern Rivers photographic artist Tajette O’Halloran’s work has been recognised internationally and published in The New York Times, the British Journal of Photography and Australian Geographic. As a two-time finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, her work offers a nuanced glimpse of small town and regional culture.

Illawarra-based photographer Anthony Rigby-Smith is a proud Dunghutti man. Storytelling is key to his creative practice, which aims to document First Nations people, culture and Country through photography and film. He has worked with a range of organisations, including Common Ground, Gadhungal Marring and the University of Wollongong.

And finally, Jade D’Amico is a photographer who draws on her Argentinian and Italian heritage to explore memory, identity, and community in her practice. Her work, and her subjects, show a deep connection to youth culture, music and community in South West Sydney. She works across fashion, music and event photography, and has made work for Pania, Billy Maree, Jesswar, Astrophe Magazine and Vice AU.

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said the imagery captured will illustrate the wonderfully diverse communities within NSW.

"It will also showcase our vital night-time culture and uplift the incredible artists within it,’ she said.

The images captured will be exhibited in late 2025.