Artist of the Day, November 16, 2023: Frank Plicka, a Czech-born Australian photographer (#1959)

 Frank Plicka (1926 – 2010) is a Czech-born Australian photographer, best known for his book Streets of Sydney, an extraordinary tour of Sydney, documented in black & white photographs taken over the last 30 years. This book depicts life in, and around Sydney streets, pubs, bars, galleries, and beaches.

Plicka was born in the mining town of Kladno, former Czechoslovakia. His father was a miner, often unemployed and as many others at that time, could not give the family a decent living.

Starting a primary school meant a new happy life for Plicka. He finished school with best possible results, skipped high school and was enrolled in an elite school "Real Gymnasium" in 1937. After World War II, during which Czech universities were closed, he continued his studies at Charles University of Prague and graduated as a pedagog. Then until 1968, he was involved in sports professionally, coaching top Czech swimmers. In 1967, he was awarded a title Coach of the Year.

In 1968, after the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, he fled to Australia. He settled in Sydney, taking different jobs at different places, and started concentrating on street photography.

Besides Australia, he photographed one year in Africa (1970s) and three years in Asia (1980s). During the last 35 years, he finished three books. At present, only Streets of Sydney has been published.

During recent years, Plicka held several exhibitions in Sydney, but prefers private life and does not seek wider recognition.

From early age, Plicka was involved in sports and his desire to catch all moments led him to sports photography. As a sports photographer, he photographed in six European countries, including Russia.

His trademark is candid black-and-white photography. He has been using different cameras during 65 years of work, but since 1952, he has been using Leica cameras, mainly his favourite Leica M3. He uses 35 mm and 50 mm lenses for his work.

Plicka has been processing his photos on his own from his beginnings. He changed from darkroom to digital/computer processing in 2004.

© 2023. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Frank Plicka or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

 Frank Plicka

Old Frankfurt Before its Destruction in WWII, 1937 Germany

Advertisement for Stockings,1938  Berlin

Matches, 1939 Bryant & May, Melbourne

French Fashion Models, 1946 Geigers Shop in Collins Street, Melbourne

Craftsman Working On A Chalice, 1948 Albion Metalware, Melbourne

Bruck Mills, 1950 Wangaratta

International Harvester, NATCO Multiple Spinole Drill, 1950 Geelong

 Stanhill, 1951

Advertisement for Prestige Ties, 1956 Melbourne

Australian Paper and Pulp Mills, 1956 Burnie Tasmania

A Trio of works featuring The Electrolytic Zinc (Sulphuric Acid Plant), 1959
Risdon, Tasmania

Sulphuric Acid Plant, 1959 Risdon Near Hobart Tasmania

 Mobil and APM Buildings, 1960 Melbourne

Works from the Barossa Valley, 1960s
including images from the Seppeltsfield, Penfolds and Orlando Winery

Rope Making, 1962 Miller Rope, Brunswick, Melbourne

Expansion Loop in the low pressure steam pipe, 1964 Kodak Factory

Melbourne Architectural Scenes including The Royal Insurance Group, 1965
Collins Street

GMH Dandelong, 1966 Melbourne

Gears for Mining Industry, 1967 Vickers Ruwolt, Burley, Melbourne

From the Collection of Industrial Scenes: Vickers Ruwolt, 1967

From the Collection of Industrial Scenes: Vickers Ruwolt 1968

Marweight Engineer Inc., 1968

Potline Smelting Alumina, 1968 Comalco, Bell Bay, Tasmania

Painfeeder, 1969 Vickers Ruwolt, Burnley

Nordberg Ore Crusher, 1969 Vickers Ruwolt, Melbourne

Festival Centre, 1973 Adelaide

Creasing Machine, 1974

Chemical Plant, 1976

Sailing Ship Captains Cottages, 1976 Aldinga, South Australia

Aluminium Furnaces, 1979 Bell Bay Plant

Adelaide Rail station, 1980

Asparagus Factory Workers

Collection of five Architectural Scenes Including "Stanhill"

Walter Burley and Mahoney Griffin''s Capitol Theatre, Melbourne