The Bendigo Art Gallery is hosting a new exhibition, 'The Australian Women's Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon'.
From Saturday, 27 May, art lovers will be able to explore the history of the iconic Australian Women’s Weekly – the country’s most loved and iconic magazine brand – in Bendigo Art Gallery’s new exhibition ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly: 90 Years of an Australian icon’.
Free and open daily until Sunday 27 August 2023, the exhibition marks its 90th anniversary of The Australian Women’s Weekly through a look back at some of the inspiring women who have been part of the magazine’s history, the changing eras of fashion and style brought to life on its pages, and the creativity it has inspired in the domestic sphere.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here
View this post on Instagram
The first-of-its-kind truly inspiring and nostalgic exhibition honours the contributions of some of the trailblazing women who have made the Weekly a magazine for women, by women, from its very beginnings, such as courageous wartime reporter Dorothy Drain, who filed stories from the field during WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, writing for the mothers and sisters of the soldiers she met.
Since its beginnings, the Australian Women’s Weekly has offered a window onto the global fashion stage, and this exhibition presents a selection of garments by leading Australian designers, worn by notable and inspiring Australian women on recent covers – including Toni Maticevski worn by legendary culinary entrepreneur Maggie Beer, Sonia Cappallazzo for actress and writer Miranda Tapsell, and an Aurelio Costarella gown worn by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
The utter resourceful creativity of Australian women dedicated to creating special memories for their children, and filling their homes with colour and inspiration, is also honoured within the exhibition with a fond look back at dressmaking, interior design, craft and cooking projects inspired by the Weekly; including – of course – the ingenious designs of the Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book, still going strong 43 years after its first publication.
As part of the exhibition, the gallery called out to the public to submit photos of their cakes that have been guided by The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book, so expect a truly nostalgic display of everyday Australians and their the iconic creations, from the figure-8 shaped racetrack, the piano, Dolly Varden, and the cricket bat, to the meringue castle, duck featuring chips, Miss Piggy and of course the swimming pool.
Other highlights of the exhibition include a selection of the some of the biggest selling and most memorable covers featuring Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, as well as current and future Australian trailblazers like Turia Pitt, Delta Goodrem and more, alongside vintage photographs and behind the scenes materials depicting an iconic 1948 fashion show and magazine edition showcasing Parisian fashion, inspired by Christian Dior’s revolutionary ‘New Look’, and modelled by visiting French models.
This is a free exhibition – no bookings required. Head here for more information.
