Now on view: Tace Stevens' We Were Just Little Boys
We are pleased to share the launch of Tace Stevens’ We Were Just Little Boys, a new publication from Tall Poppy Press that shines a light on the stories of the Survivors of Kinchela Boys Home in Australia. This state-run institution was the site of unimaginable trauma and pain, as little boys were ripped from families and communities, imprisoned in a school and had their culture denied.
Along with Stevens’ photography, the book features written contributions from the Survivors, and writing from the CEO of the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation – a Survivor-led organization dedicated to improving the wellbeing of the “Uncles” and their families, and championing truth-telling of the Kinchela Boys Home’s history.
In 2022, the Kinchela Boys Home was named one of 25 international heritage sites for the World Monument Fund’s Watch program. Over the past few years, as part of our Heritage in Focus initiative, Magnum Foundation partnered with the World Monuments Fund to support emerging photographers to document eleven of these sites and their significance to local communities.
Ahead of the book’s launch, we partnered with Stevens to produce the above short video that highlights her collaboration with the Survivors, through sharing the story of Uncle Harry Richie.
Courtesy of Tall Poppy Press
Some upcoming chances to see the project in the world:
Book launch event at the Perth Centre for Photography on August 16th.
Exhibit at the Center for Contemporary Photography in Melbourne opening August 30th.
Highlighted in “On Country: Photography from Australia,” at Les Rencontres d'Arles 2025, on view until Oct. 5.
The book will also be available at Tall Poppy Press’ table at the Printed Matter’s New York Art Book Fair, International Center of Photography’s Photobook Fest, Same Page Art Book Fair, and Tokyo Art Book Fair.
Video is produced by Magnum Foundation with support from Stanley Cohen in memory of Jacoba Molenaar.