Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley has been through several transformations over the decades. In the early to mid 1900s “The Valley” was an elegant inner-city destination with glamorous shopfronts and the best in personal service. In the 1960s “The Valley” went from destination to desolation, following the emergence and growth of more convenient suburban shopping malls.

Two To The Valley is a photographic record, first published in 1992 by former Brisbane city councilor and now painter David Hinchliffe. His photographic work captured The Valley, its architecture, and its occasionally irreverent populace as it emerged from decades of decay to become the vibrant entertainment district it is today – a journey in co-existence, co-design, the re-purposing of public facilities, and municipal co-operation.

This exhibition is curated by Maud Street Photo Gallery from the photographer’s original negatives with the help of Michael Waldron, a Fortitude Valley resident of 30 years who featured in the original Two To The Valley book as an 11-year-old. Michael’s memories reveal a story for every building, every corner and every character.

The exhibition shows how a city’s design, along with the people who inhabit it, can be treasured, moulded and altered to survive the hard times and prosper during the good.

The Two To The Valley exhibition at Maud Street Photo Gallery will be accompanied by three guided walks around Fortitude Valley. Register links for the walks are below, limited numbers.

PLEASE NOTE – The current requirement by the QLD government is that anyone not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be able to enter our premises and participate in the event. Proof of vaccination will be required.