Australian Inspiration (On tour in NSW)
Australian Inspiration (On tour in NSW)
ON DISPLAY AT LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES
Australian Inspiration reveals how the unique beauty of Australia's native flora and fauna has long inspired artists and designers.
Australian Inspiration (On tour in NSW)
ON DISPLAY AT LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES
Australian Inspiration reveals how the unique beauty of Australia's native flora and fauna has long inspired artists and designers.
The earliest natural history drawings of the waratah were used to document a new species. Included are drawings by James Sowerby and colonial artist John Lewin, to more decorative interpretations by French artist Lucien Henry and costume designer Thelma Afford. Illustrations of koalas by Dorothy Wall, Norman Lindsay and Ida Rentoul Outhwaite reflected a society which had began to define its cultural identity through native fauna.
Drawing on the Library’s rich collections, this display focuses on how the waratah and the koala have become invaluable sources of inspiration and design.
James Sowerby was a natural historian, artist and engraver, who collaborated with James Smith (1759–1828), one of the first botanists to work on the plant specimens sent back to England from the new colony. Together, in 1793, they produced the first scientific publication of Australian flora, A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland. Sowerby’s plates were renowned for their simplicity and botanical accuracy.
Watercolour
Published 13 years before the birth of Blinky Bill, Tommy Bear was the precursor to the everlasting Blinky. In this short story, Tommy Bear is prescribed a holiday in Sydney to ‘have some fun’, which he has with the mischievous Zookies. Influenced by May Gibbs, Wall’s Zookies were drawn in a similar style to the gumnut babies.
Screenprint
Henry Rousel was a Sydney-based sign-writer. Working as H Rousel, Signwriter Company, he expanded into screen-printing and paintings for hotels to promote breweries. The local council used this Rousel design in a tourist campaign. The Blue Mountains has long been a tourist destination for Sydneysiders with the waratah being one of its many attractions.
ON TOUR DETAILS:
On display at the following libraries. Dates listed are subject to change. Please confirm with each library.
Ballina, 18 - 30 June 2016
Grafton, 9 - 21 July 2016
Glen Innes, 30 July - 11 August 2016
Armidale, 20 August - 1 September 2016
Coffs Harbour, 10 - 22 September 2016
Kempsey, 1 - 13 October 2016
Lake Haven, 22 October - 3 November 2016
Wallsend, 12 - 24 November 2016
Port Macquarie, 3-15 December 2016
Werris Creek, 23 December 2016 - 12 January 2017
Narrabri, 21 January - 2 February 2017
Gilgandra, 11 - 23 February 2017
Dubbo, 4 - 16 March 2017
Parkes, 25 March - 6 April 2017
Broken Hill, 14 April - 4 May 2017
Lake Cargelligo, 13 - 25 May 2017
Coolamon, 24 June - 6 July 2017
Grenfell, 15 - 27 July 2017
Deniliquin, 5 - 17 August 2017
Berrigan, 26 - 31 August 2017
Mulwala, 9 - 21 September 2017
Springwood, 30 September - 12 October 2017
Lithgow, 21 October - 2 November 2017
Nowra, 11 - 23 November 2017
Tura Beach, 2 - 14 December 2017
Batlow, 23 December 2017 - 11 January 2018
Albury, 20 January - 1 February 2018
Cootamundra, 10 - 22 February 2018
Temora, 3 - 15 March 2018
Yass, 24 March - 5 April 2018
East Maitland, 14 - 26 April 2018
Singleton, 5 - 17 May 2018
Cessnock, 26 May - 7 June 2018
Charlestown, 16 - 28 June 2018
Griffith, 7 July - 19 July 2018
Leeton, 28 July - 9 August 2018
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