Media Release: SWINGING SIXTIES AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA

FROM THE MINISTER FOR ARTS

DATE: Thursday, October 27, 2005

SWINGING SIXTIES AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA

The era of Twiggy and the Beatles is starring in a new exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, the Minister for the Arts, Mary Delahunty, said today.

Opening British Art & the 60s from Tate Britain, Ms Delahunty said the exhibition covered the period between 1956 and 1968.

“This exhibition was one of Tate Britain’s highlights last year and its only Australian appearance will be at the National Gallery of Victoria, which is a great coup for the Gallery,” Ms Delahunty said.

“From Elvis Presley and the Suez Crisis to worldwide demonstrations and the rise of psychedelia, this period was a tumultuous time.

“British art captured this moment: the optimism and idealism, the radicalism, the experimentation and, eventually, the disillusionment. British pop art also led to innovation in other areas such as advertising and design.”

The exhibition includes painting, sculpture, photography, film, prints and drawings. Well-known artists featured include David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Peter Blake and Richard Hamilton.

“David Hockney’s work, First marriage (A marriage of styles I) 1962, owned by Tate Britain, will be seen alongside The second marriage 1963, owned by the National Gallery of Victoria,” Ms Delahunty said.

“This is the first time the two paintings have been seen together in Australia.”

“The Bracks Government is proud to support the National Gallery of Victoria. Through our arts policy, Creative Capacity +, we are making the arts accessible to all Victorians.

“More than five million visitors have attended the Gallery since the opening of the Ian Potter Centre: National Gallery of Victoria Australia at Federation Square in 2002 and the re-opening of National Gallery of Victoria International on St Kilda Road in 2003.

“Since then, the Gallery has more than doubled in size and visitor numbers. A recent success was Dutch Masters from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, which was attended by almost 220,000 people – 22 per cent tourists – and netted the State a $23.8 million windfall.”

British Art & the 60s from Tate Britain is on display at the NGV International at 180 St Kilda Road from Friday 28 October 2005 until Sunday 5 February 2006. Open Wednesday – Monday from 10am-5pm. Admission is $12 adult, $8 concession, $32 family, $6 NGV members.