Andrew Chapman's 55-Year Retrospective 'The Green Bus' Opens at Melbourne Town Hall

Photographer Andrew Chapman's retrospective, 'The Green Bus,' opens at City Gallery, Melbourne Town Hall, from 3 September 2026 to 19 February 2027. The exhibition spans 55 years of Chapman's career, capturing Melbourne's transformation from the 1970s to the present. Chapman, who grew up in Elsternwick in a Catholic family of seven siblings, was inspired by Yousuf Karsh's 'Portraits of Greatness' and National Geographic. He studied at Prahran College under John Cato, with influences from Athol Shmith and Paul Cox. After initially failing, he returned to complete his degree and worked for the Melbourne Times before being commissioned by Time magazine to photograph Bob Hawke. His work covers major events such as Vietnam War protests in 1971, Queen Elizabeth II's royal visit in 1980, and hot air ballooning over Melbourne in 2014, as well as everyday scenes like the last horse-drawn milk cart in 1979. Chapman reflects on the changing nature of photography, noting the ubiquity of cameras today and expressing concerns about AI's impact on truth in images. He advises aspiring photographers that perseverance is key, emphasizing that mastery comes with time. The exhibition is curated by City Gallery, and Chapman expresses gratitude for their work.