Dirt, Dust & Grain

Swinging guitars, flying drumsticks, eager punters and apocalyptic red jellyfish. We all know the life of a music photographer is far from dull. Whether it’s on the road or backstage, you’ll likely find Maclay Heriot with his patina Leica M6 TTL. A treasured object that has not only documented moments on tour, but has also shielded him from the occasional antics of ‘The Pit.’

The photographs that feature in this new exhibition sit outside what Maclay Heriot would usually be asked to exhibit. Focused on Australian artists and the live music scene, 'Dirt, Dust & Grain’ is a selection photographs that share Maclay’s passion for the film photography and celebrates our local music industry.

Maclay Heriot is an Australian born music photographer working globally. Over the last seven years he has divided his time between Sydney and Los Angeles. Like few committed music photographers, he has spent time “sleeping” on hundreds of couches, vans, buses, airports and hotel rooms in the pursuit of documenting authentic images. He has toured globally with Grammy winning rock band Portugal. The Man since 2014. While on home soil, he has toured with Big Day Out and then Laneway Festival for the past five years. He has photographed many wonderful Australian musicians, including The Preatures, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Gang of Youths, Peking Duk, The Chats, Grinspoon, Peter Garrett, Jack River, Jagwar Ma and many more. Maclay has been published in Rolling Stone US/AU, RUSSH and Monster Children magazines and has exhibited with The Australian Centre for Photography and Newcastle Art Gallery in 2020.