8 design archives | between 1930 – 1980 | 250 works on display
Graphic Identities highlights eight ground-breaking Australian design archives from the Powerhouse Collection. Featuring work from celebrated 20th Century designers including Douglas Annand, Frances Burke, Gordon Andrews and Arthur Leydin, the exhibition explores the role of visual communication in shaping contemporary Australian culture. The selected designers, many of whom honed their skills in commercial art and visual design in technical colleges around Australia, became founding members of the emerging design institutes and art societies of the early 20th century. Through their work in advertising, publishing, fine art and textiles, these designers created the image of iconic Australian brands including David Jones, National Trust, Dri-Glo, Tourism Australia and the Reserve Bank.
The design archives on display reflect a wide range of disciplines and media – including pre-digital commercial art and graphic design, typography, collage, illustration, printmaking and painting – demonstrating design’s unique ability to span creative industries. These archives chart pivotal moments in the history of Australian design and draw inspiration from a range of influences including native flora and fauna as well as local and international collaborations with leading artists and designers such as László Moholy-Nagy and Russell Drysdale.
In an increasingly interconnected and shifting global landscape, the design industry’s role in effective and far-reaching visual communication has never been more important. These archives demonstrate design’s enormous power in harnessing symbolism and imagery to bridge social barriers and shape our cultural identity.
In conjunction with this exhibition, Powerhouse will host a panel discussion and has partnered with the Rizzerria to hold two Riso printing workshops.
Douglas Annand collection
Douglas Annand was a stylistic chameleon adept at playing with form, perspective, scale and medium.
Frances Burke collection
Frances Burke’s lino-block and screen-printed fabrics helped define the Australian modernist interior.
Dahl Collings collection
The dazzling range of Dahl Collings’ output transcended conventional art and design narratives.
Alistair Morrison collection
Alistair Morrison was recognised for his exceptional skill in marrying type and illustration.
Gordon Andrews collection
Gordon Andrews was adept at modulating any visual field, be it a postage stamp or a sports stadium.
Shirley de Vocht collection
Shirley de Vocht found success as an industrial designer when there were few women in the field.
Pieter Huveneers collection
An expert in corporate identity, for Pieter Huveneers design and business were inseparable.
Arthur Leydin collection
Arthur Leydin campaigned relentlessly for the cultural significance of graphic design in Australia.
Discover More
Request a copy of the large print guide upon arrival, or print it out before you arrive.
Graphic Identities X UNSW
Students from Graphics 2 UNSW Bachelor of Design were invited to design a visual identity for the exhibition.
Gallery
