ONE of the most defining and influential artworks of the 20th century, Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency, will be presented at Bank Art Museum Moree from October 30 to December 13 as part of the National Gallery of Australia’s inaugural photographic program.

The exhibition is presented as part of the Bowness Family Foundation Photography Touring Program.

In a New South Wales exclusive, the exhibition at BAMM will see all 126 vintage colour photographs from the ground-breaking series, the last of which was recently acquired by the National Gallery.

Decades-long in the making, The ballad of sexual dependency offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Goldin’s community and the post-punk, creative, queer scene of the Bowery district of New York in the late 1970s. Detailing highly personal narratives and relationships with tremendous emotional power, Goldin refers to the work as her ‘public diary’, with overarching themes of love and empathy, and the tension between autonomy and interdependence in relationships.

Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency is a defining artwork of the 1980s.

Nan Goldin, Cookie and Vittorio’s wedding, New York City, 1986. National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia’s 40th anniversary, 2022 © Nan Goldin.

The extended photographic study of her chosen family – her ‘tribe’ – began life as a slide show screened in the clubs and bars of New York where Goldin and her friends worked and played.

The slide show was then distilled to a series of 126 photographs, which has recently become part of the National Gallery’s collection.

The exhibition will be shown alongside Garage Barbershop, by award-winning Australian photographer, Joshua Morris.

Garage Barbershop is a powerful exhibition featuring young people of Moree and will run until January 24, 2026.

BAMM director Rosie Dennis said Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency is presented as part of the Bowness Family Foundation Photography Touring Program.

“I am thrilled to be closing the 2025 exhibition program at BAMM with two incredible exhibitions – Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency and Garage Barbershop,” Ms Dennis said.

Nan Goldin’s The ballad of sexual dependency

National Gallery of Australia’s Curator of Photography, Anne O’Hehir, will lead a Curator Tour of Nan Goldin’s The ballad of sexual dependency on Saturday, November 1 at 11am.

The tour price is $15, and a glass of sparkling and chicken sandwiches will be provided.

The exhibition is suitable for viewers fifteen years and over.

The ballad of sexual dependency is opening alongside Garage Barbershop, a powerful and tender documentary-style exhibition by award-winning Australian photographer, Joshua Morris.

The exhibition features young people of Moree who participated in the Garage Barbershop program at BAMM earlier this year.

The program, designed to teach barbering skills to young men while building their confidence and sense of self-respect, was documented by Joshua Morris and is now a photographic exhibition showcasing their journey.

The Garage Barbershop initiative is supported by the NSW Premier’s Department and supported by GrainCorp.

Exhibition dates and times

Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency and Garage Barbershop

Exhibition opening: 5:30pm for 6pm Thursday 30 October

Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency Exhibition: October 31 to December 13

Nan Goldin Curator Tour: Saturday, November 1

Time: 10.30am for 11am

Viewer Advice: Suitable for 15+

Garage Barbershop exhibition: October 31 to January 24

BAMM is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

Entry is free. For more information visit Bank Art Museum Moree.

Related story:  Powerful photographic exhibition Garage Barbershop opens at BAMM October 30