All Dressed Up

9 December 2016 – 5 February 2017

The focus of the summer holiday exhibition is the politics, culture, drama and play of clothing, costume and disguise through history as well as in contemporary society.

The exhibition will feature a number of contemporary Australian artists as well as historical and contemporary fashion pieces from the fabulous Darnell Collection and the Hawkesbury Regional Museum Costume Collection.

One of the features artists is Jacqui Stockdale, whose compelling photographic portraits reflect her ongoing fascination with history, mythology and identity. Her images playfully mimic the genre of exotic postcards and historical paintings where a fanciful subject is positioned within a make-believe landscape. Dressed in costumes and masks Stockdale’s characters are layered with cultural references.

Also featured is Michael Cook, a Brisbane-based photomedia artist of Bidjara heritage. Cook’s photographs restage colonial-focused histories and re-image the contemporary reality of indigenous populations. Touching on the discriminatory nature of society, his images muddle racial and social roles ‘painting’ a picture of a societal structure reversed.

For over 70 years, Doris Darnell, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, pursued a passion for fashion by collecting vintage clothes and accessories. For Doris, the social history behind the items was as important as the items themselves and preserving them and their stories for future generations became an important part of her passion. The Darnell Collection grew out of donations and gifts from her family's wide circle of friends and acquaintances around the world. Importantly, most of the items came with accompanying letters, photographs and stories which linked them to the original owners or donors and often to the occasions to which they were worn.

Charlotte Smith inherited her godmother Doris's collection in 2004. It has continued to grow through further bequests to over 8000 pieces representing 32 different countries and is considered the largest private vintage clothing collection in Australia. Included are many internationally recognised 20th century designers such Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Zandra Rhodes, Westwood, Versace, and Dolce & Gabana.

And don't forget to visit the Gallery's Dressing Room/Art Lab. Full of fantastic drop in activities throughout December and January.

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