For more than five decades, William Yang has captured the intimate, joyful, and sometimes painful realities of queer life. Rising to prominence in the 1970s and ’80s, his candid portraits of Sydney’s gay community became iconic records of identity and resilience. During the AIDS crisis, his photographs bore witness to both devastation and love, creating an invaluable archive of lives too often erased.
His work, held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, remains central to how queer stories are remembered and honoured.
Beyond photography, Yang has built a unique body of performance work combining spoken word with projected images, blending autobiography, oral history, and art. These deeply personal “slide shows” have toured internationally, making him one of Australia’s most distinctive creative voices.
Receiving the Honour Awards’ top accolade highlights not only Yang’s artistic legacy but also his profound role as a community elder. His images have affirmed visibility for generations of LGBTQ+ people, ensuring their stories are documented with compassion and dignity.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill praised Yang as
“a cultural treasure whose life’s work has given visibility to our communities and preserved our histories with beauty and honesty.”
As he accepts this lifetime honour, Yang’s career stands as a reminder that storytelling—through images and words—has the power to heal, to resist, and to connect. His work continues to inspire new generations to see themselves reflected and celebrated.
