The exhibition surveys the iconography of Australiana in art and design through key chapters in our history through to the present day.
This month, Bendigo Art Gallery has seen the arrival of a brand-new major exhibition exploring the iconography of Australiana through history to the present day.
Running from March 18 through to June 25, Australiana: Designing a Nation will feature more than 200 artists and designers curated in a special partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
Encompassing the rich expressions of culture and connection to Country of First Nations artists and designers, to explorations of national and personal identity by others, Australiana illuminates a local vernacular. Through the use of native materials and motifs, playful remixes of popular culture, and incisive reflections on nationalistic sentiment, the visual language of Australiana celebrates—and interrogates—who we are.
Presented exclusively at Bendigo Art Gallery, this expansive exhibition showcases works by over 200 artists and designers, including many Australian masterpieces. Spanning the visual and decorative arts as well as photography, illustration, furniture, jewellery, moving image and fashion, this exhibition charts Australia’s social and popular cultural history.
As part of Australiana: Designing a Nation”, artist Kenny Pittock has created an activity zone at the Gallery. The installation features commissioned artworks 100 Ice-creams, a large-scale Rainbow Paddle-pop mural and a range of fun activities designed to get the whole family connecting over the playful nostalgia of ice-cream.
Kenny’s 100 Ice-creams prompts visitors to share their favourite ice-cream-themed memories (such as family politics associated with sharing a Neapolitan tub!) and invites children and their carers to get inventive by imagining new ice-cream flavours through video and drawing exercises.
A selection of contemporary Australian artists will also be featured, with highlights including the likes of Ken Done, Paul McCann, leading contemporary First Nations artist Tony Albert and renowned fashion house Romance was Born.
Australiana: Designing a Nation is on at Bendigo Art Gallery, 42 View Street, Bendigo from 18 March to 25 June 2023. Entry is free.
For more information, visit: www.bendigoartgallery.com.au for details.
