John Gollings

John Gollings is a photographer specialising in the built environment.

He made his first photographs and received darkroom tuition at age eleven and later studied architecture at the University of Melbourne. His freelance work as an advertising specialist in fashion in the 1960s brought together his interest in photography and the discipline of architecture.

John has dedicated his professional life to perfecting his craft. He is widely admired for his insightful eye and his ability to amplify the subject matter so that the images take on an energy of their own. Not only does he record the architectural outcomes as a design achievement, John captures the essence of the architect’s intent and has contributed to many architect’s success through his imagery.

He has had many books published on architecture, life and art, including the monograph Beautiful Ugly, written by Joe Rollo. He was appointed co-director of Australia’s exhibition at the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale and has lectured on architecture and advertising photography at Prahran College, Melbourne and Sydney Universities and Philip Institute amongst others.

Gollings twice received the Royal Australian Institute of Architects President’s Award, in 1990 and 1998. In 2004, he was named an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and in 2008 he was awarded the President’s Prize from the Victorian chapter of the Institute. In 2013, he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects’ William J. Mitchell International Committee Prize

John Gollings has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his “significant service to photography through the documentation of iconic architectural landmarks in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.”