After The Australian Ugliness

After The Australian Ugliness is a contemporary response to Robyn Boyd’s iconic text, commemorating 60 years since publication of The Australian Ugliness.

Robin Boyd’s The Australian Ugliness was published in 1960 and quickly took its place as a key work of architectural and cultural critique in the nation’s canon. This new book responds to Boyd’s most well-known text with new critical and creative writing by authors from a range of disciplines. Through different styles and approaches, each author makes Boyd’s work live in the contemporary moment, exploring enduring questions about the elusive, sometimes lucky and sometimes ugly character of Australia today.

Richly illustrated with new photography by David Wadelton and drawings by Oslo Davis, After The Australian Ugliness is a provocative reflection on how Australia sees itself today, and how others see it.

About the author

Naomi Stead is Professor of Architecture at Monash University, Adjunct Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Queensland, and past president of the Society of Architectural Historians of Australia and New Zealand.

Tom Lee is Senior Lecturer in Design Studies in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at the University of Technology Sydney.

Ewan McEoin is the Hugh D. T. Williamson Senior Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture at the NGV.

Megan Patty is Head of Publications, Photographic Services and Library at the NGV and founding curator of the Melbourne Art Book Fair.

Naomi Stead, Tom Lee, Ewan McEoin, Megan Patty
Published March 2021
Hardcover
296 pages
204mm x 256mm
ISBN 9781760761899