Wolfgang Sievers was a distinguished photographer who spent many years taking pictures of Australia’s industry and architecture. After training in Berlin, Sievers moved to Australia in 1938. He captured a series of pictures of Geelong’s Ford plant and of the Broadmeadows assembly plant during the 1960s and 70s.
The black and white photographs focus on the car building process, using dramatic lighting and simple compositions to highlight the work done by machines and men on the assembly line.
Sievers died in 2007, but now printing services will enable residents from Broadmeadows to enjoy his pictures and gain an insight into the area’s industrial history.
Hume Mayor, Councillor Casey Nunn said the works were symbolic of the area and celebrated an important part of Broadmeadows’ history and its integral part in the car manufacturing industry. She said:
"The images depict the people and environment of the heavy industrial production line, offering a look back into earlier days of industry in Hume, as well as a portrait of the predominantly migrant workforce at the time. We are privileged to be able to present these works to our community."
The exhibition will be held at the Cragieburn Gallery in the Hume Global Learning Centre in Cragieburn and will run until Sunday March 30th.