MAC exhibitions to commemorate and remember the WWI Centenary
Published on 14 February 2015
A series of moving tributes to our ANZAC heroes are beginning to take shape at Mildura Arts Centre, with three World War I themed exhibitions due to open this month.
From now until May, the gallery program will feature exhibitions commemorating the events of this period and looking back at how Australia was forever changed by the conflict.
Arts and Culture portfolio Councillor Jill Joslyn said the exhibitions are very moving and depict both scenes from the frontline as well as showing the impact the war was having at home.
“The WIRE exhibition by Dominic Redfern is already open and has an emotional local link,” Cr Joslyn said. “It draws on the landscapes of both Fromelles in France and the Mallee and looks at the sentiment of the time and the incomprehensible loss of life.”
MAC will also host the Shrine of Remembrance Touring Exhibition, Australia Will Be There: Victorians in the First World War(1914-1919) which opens on Thursday 19 February. This exhibition honours the centenary of the First World War and presents a chronology of the war with particular reference to the contribution and sacrifice of Victorians. It also investigates the cost of the war to individuals, families and communities.
“Many people might not realise MAC has a collection of artworks and artefacts from this period and the exhibition WWI: artists and aftermath will showcase some of these,” Cr Joslyn explained. “This exhibition will also be complemented by documents, photographs and memorial items on loan from private collections.”
The official opening of all three exhibitions will take place at 6pm on Thursday 19 February 2015, with Cr Joslyn welcoming the Chair of the Shrine of Remembrance, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Spence AO (Rtd) and the Director of Exhibitions and Collections Jean McAuslan to Mildura for the event. President of the Mildura RSL Sub Branch, Alex Ouchirenko, will also speak at the opening.
In addition to the three exhibitions, MAC will also host the Shrine or Remembrance’s Regional Lecture Series, The Great War in Victorian Private Life on Tuesday 3 March. Dr Bart Ziino, author and historian from Deakin University, will examine some of the private experiences of the Great War through the eyes of Victorians both abroad and those left behind.
“We’re very proud of the commemorative exhibitions planned for MAC,” Cr Joslyn said. “I really do urge you to come down and take some time to reflect and remember those who sacrificed so much for the freedom of our ancestors and in turn, us.”
OFFICIAL OPENING –
Australia Will Be There: Victorians in the First World War (1914–1919)
Shrine of Remembrance Touring Exhibition
Opening: 6pm
Date: Thursday 19 February 2015
Exhibition: Thursday 19 February to Sunday 10 May 2015
WIRE
Dominic Redfern
Exhibition: Thursday 5 February to Sunday 3 May 2015
WWI: artists and aftermath
Mildura Arts Centre collection works and selected artefacts
Exhibition: Thursday 12 February to Sunday 3 May 2015
Mildura Regional Lecture
The Great War in Victorian Private Life
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2015
Time: 5:30pm for a 6pm start
Bookings are essential and can be made through www.shrine.org.au/mildura or (03) 9661 8100
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au