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  3. From the Archives: A history of the NGA in posters — Part I

From the Archives: A history of the NGA in posters — Part I

A poster reading "come see the best show in town - only $2 The Australian National Gallery"

Sometimes you remember the poster better than the event. Simon Underschultz falls through the archival rabbit hole and emerges in the 1970s Australian National Gallery marketing department.

Written by Simon Underschultz
30 May 2020
Read time 5 minutes

When I began as Special Collections Officer at the National Gallery of Australia in 2013, I suddenly found I was in charge of the Research Library’s poster collection. I opened the drawers and began sifting through them, and before me unfolded a visual history of the Gallery. Exhibition after exhibition, there was over three decades worth of posters, graphic designs and promotional images, all geared to draw me in and inspire me. I couldn’t believe my luck — to be given this private history lesson in a job that required knowledge of the Gallery’s history.

I wanted to share them, so I undertook a project to digitise them. They’re too good for an audience of just me — so much effort has been put into producing these ephemeral items, and each one was carefully filed into the archive as the next exhibition came along. I think it’s worth revisiting them, if not for nostalgia, for a unique sightline into the history of our Gallery and into Australian art.

ANG at ANU

These posters are from the period before the National Gallery of Australia — then the Australian National Gallery — was officially opened in October 1982. Back in that time exhibitions of the developing collection were held at Melville Hall at the Australian National University. They’re the earliest exhibition posters in our archive.

A dancer sits on a bench with her legs spread

'Genesis of a Gallery’, an exhibition in Canberra at Melville Hall, ANU in 1978, featuring
Mourlot Posters ‘Toulouse-Lautrec — Affiches, eaux, fortes, lithographies’, purchased 1976

A figure poses with two doves

'Photography: The Last Ten Years’ at Melville Hall, ANU in 1980, featuring
Robert Mapplethorpe ‘Patti Smith with doves’ 1979, purchased 1980 © Robert Mapplethorpe Estate

Rows of pigments set out on top of squares of paper

'Landscape Art: two way reaction’ at Melville Hall, ANU in 1981, featuring Nikolaus Lang ‘Earth colours and paintings’ 1978–79, purchased 1979

Come and see the best show in town

The poster archive also holds treasures like these promotional posters created for the brand new Australian National Gallery. Only $2!

A poster reading "ANG ART FOR YOU"
A poster reading "Discover our treasures from Oct 13"
Poster reading "Remember to become a member"

Want to continue your walk down memory lane? Watch the full video of the opening of the Gallery by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

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Two men looking at art work on a wall

The Kenneth Tyler Collection tells the story of the incredible artistic and technical developments in the field of 20th century printmaking.

Exhibition

The Birth of the Modern Poster

Past Exhibition
Print of a green goblin holding a bottle of alcohol upon a black background. Yellow text underneath reads Maurin Quina

10 Feb 2007—13 May 2007

Corporate Partnerships

three people are standing in front of a large painting on canvas hanging on a wall

Take a leadership role in supporting the arts and connecting our communities by becoming a Corporate Partner.

Exhibition

Toulouse-Lautrec
Paris and the Moulin Rouge

Past Exhibition
Print of four women dancing the can-can on stage infant of a yellow background. red text in lower left corner reads Mademoiselle Eglantine’s troupe

14 Dec 2012—2 Apr 2013

Know My Name /  Video

Jo Lloyd: Archive the archive

Video still of three women dancing.

Published 2020

12 minutes
International Art /  Video

Toulouse-Lautrec: Posters as Art

Published 20 December 2012

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