Sydney-based photographer Banjo McLachlan launches his latest publication project, MAX, at China Heights next Friday, 20th June, from 6–8 PM. MAX explores the unexpected world of American football played on Australian soil. Focusing on a key player's experience, the project captures the sport’s striking visual contrasts - bold uniforms against suburban backdrops, face paint smeared with sweat - as well as its quieter, more personal moments: pre-game rituals, exhaustion, and camaraderie.
More than a traditional sports documentary, MAX reveals the deeper narrative of athletic passion existing outside its cultural context. McLachlan's images explore the tension between the sport's American roots and its Australian reality, where players like Max invest themselves fully despite its niche status. The publication highlights not just the physicality of the game, but the quiet determination, team bonds, and personal identity forged through participation.
"What interested me most was everything that happens beyond the game itself: the build-up, the preparation, the quiet moments before kickoff, and the wind-down after. This project focuses on Max’s journey, documenting his experience from home to the field and offering a personal perspective on what it means to play American football."