During a decade of massive urban and social change, Max Oettli worked as one of New Zealand’s most innovative contemporary photographers. Based in Auckland, this was a period when independent photography was developing rapidly. Oettli ensured that his camera was a creative mirror. Unlike local camera club artists, Oettli avoided traditional picture making, preferring the realism of expressive black and white photography. Motivated, committed and risk-taking, Oettli took photographs at all hours of the night and day. Using the amazing freedom and practicality of 35mm cameras, his ground-breaking photographs are relevant and revelatory about how we know place and time.

Including many unfamiliar photographs, Visible Evidence reveals the intersections between the private and public lives of Tāmaki Makaurau. This exhibition has been made possible through the artist’s generous gift of his vintage photographs.