My Generation is William Yang’s story of Sydney’s artistic community from the mid 1970s to 1980s.

Presented in Yang’s unique performance style – using spoken word, image and live music – he retells the glamorous fashion events of Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson and their iconic label Flamingo Park, ‘the godmothers of Australiana’; the theatrical circle of the Patrick White, Robyn Nevin, Jim Sharman, Neil Armfield and Kate Fitzpatrick among others; the visual arts scene of Brett Whiteley and Martin Sharp; the strengthening of the Sydney gay and lesbian community and the flowering of the Sydney Mardi Gras. William documents a time he describes as “especially decadent… there were many colourful characters and parties were so much fun. It was in the days following women’s liberation, sexual liberation and gay and lesbian liberation so it was a time of great change.” Yang documented this era with a camera in one hand, a glass of champagne in the other, and a smile.

In 1977, when William Yang had his first solo exhibition, Sydneyphiles at the Australian Centre for Photography, it caused a sensation because of its frank depiction of the party and emerging gay scene. A book and exhibition Sydney Diary 1974-1984 followed, expanding the themes of Sydneyphiles. The performance work My Generation comes from this collection of photos. It was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and performed at the opening of their new gallery in 2008. It was also part of Albury’s Hot House Theatre 2009 season. My Generation was part of Performance Space’s You Are Here season of performance, dance and installation exploring our place in the world, the landscapes in which we live and the times of our lives.

“Yang has created a work of art, using the photographs as elements in an unfolding story”  Canberra Times

William Yang