Heroes and Villains: Strutt's Australia Exhibition

Post

Subscribe

Thu 14 Jul 2016 - Sun 23 Oct 2016

Melbourne is undoubtedly the nation's capital for the arts given the wide range of arts related activities supported by the City of Melbourne's Arts Grants Program, public and private organisations and world-class venues. There are regular art exhibitions in National Gallery of Victoria , live performances in Arts Centre Melbourne and festivals such as the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and Melbourne Music Week . One of the most noteworthy events in the local arts calender has to be the new exhibition in the State Library of Victoria from July to August.



'Heroes and Villains: Strutt's Australia' is a a major exhibition focused on the work of William Strutt (1825–1915). Strutt was a renowned mid-19th century artist who produced many works including watercolours, portraits, prints, preparatory sketches and large paintings. He was trained in École des Beaux-Arts, the most prestigious European art academy based in Paris. Strutt painted many notable Victorians including John Pascoe Fawkner and his wife Eliza, Governor Sir Edward Macarthur, Colonel Neill, John O'Shannassy, Frederick James Sargood and Robert O'Hara Burke. He also created grand narrative works with intricate dramatic scenes. Most importantly, his works provide today's public with a distinctive visual record of colonial life in mid-19th century Australia.



This remarkable exhibition is the most comprehensive of William Strutt's work ever staged in Melbourne. It brings together more than 100 works. This is only possible through the collaboration and support from the National Library's collection and works held by the University of Melbourne, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria in addition to those in the State Library Victoria. Best of all, its FREE.

Through the works, you and your family can witness Melbourne's golden age when gold was discover and Victoria was a separate colony where bushrangers roamed and explorers launched bold expeditions. You will also enjoy behind-the-scenes glimpse of how these extraordinary artworks were created and explore the historical, cultural and political factors that define Victoria's identity. Don't miss this rare art opportunity. Here is an overview of the FREE exhibition and public talks.



Curator's talk: 'Heroes and villains'

You can enjoy an hour-long guided tour of the exhibition in the Keith Murdoch Gallery on selected days and times. The tour is led by guest curator Matthew Jones from the National Library of Australia. He will share the story of Strutt's life and work including his training in Paris and his rise to fame as the first great exponent of history painting in Australia. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. Click here to reserve your space

Date & Time:
14 July - 11:00am – 12:00pm
14 July - 6:00pm – 7:00pm
15 July - 2:00pm – 3:00pm
16 July - 11:00am – 12:00pm
16 July - 3:00pm – 4:00pm



Bushrangers' pop-up talk

The newly formed colony in Victoria was filled with tales of bushrangers who bailed up and robbed the public. Join this talk at the Keith Murdoch Gallery and learn more about the lawlessness in as captured by Strutt's painting. Click here to reserve your space.

Date & Time: 27 July - 11:00am – 11:45am



'Black Thursday' pop-up talk

Join the talk on Strutt's magnum opus in the Keith Murdoch Gallery. This powerful piece was painted 11 years after a cataclysmic bushfire engulfed huge swathes of Victoria. Click here to reserve your space.

Date & Time:
4 August - 6:00pm – 6:45pm
23 August - 11:00am – 11:45am



'The burial of Burke' pop-up talk

Head over to the Keith Murdoch Gallery for a talk about this tragic piece on the great Victorian explorers Burke and Wills. Strutt bid them farewell as they set out for the Gulf of Carpenteria. 50 years later, he painted this piece as an elegy to the adventurers. Click here to reserve your space.

Date & Time: 9 August, 11:00am – 11:45am

#victoria
#things_to_see
#city
#libraries
#learn_something
#history
#free
#exhibitions
#community_events
#city -of-melbourne
#cbd
#art
!date 14/07/2016 -- 23/10/2016
%wnmelbourne