The guitar’s evolution unveiled

GET ready to rock this month at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and discover more than forty guitars on loan from the United States of America’s National GUITAR Museum.

Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar opens tomorrow and will feature photographs, paintings, drawings, illustrative designs, and objects from the gallery’s collection alongside the iconic guitars.

“What Louise [Tegart] and the Art Gallery have done here is something we’ve never seen done to this extent, incorporating so many different types of art from sculptures to paintings to collage to photographs,” said founder of the National GUITAR Museum, HP Newquist.

“Australia has a pretty rich guitar culture, almost as rich as America so it all ties in pretty nicely.”

The exhibition tracks the instrument’s medieval beginnings as ouds and lutes, to its current role in society, with guitar makers and luthiers using different shapes, materials, accessories, and designs over time.

Images from rock photographer Neil Zlozower alongside works by Australian music documenter Tony Mott will also be on display.

This is the first time the guitars have been displayed in Australia and Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart said it is exciting to see music and art come together in the exhibition.

“What is interesting is that there has been a whole lot of research in recent years about the benefit of art both viewing art and making art on mental wellbeing,” she said.

“I think there’s also been that kind of research happening about music.”

The guitar is the most popular instrument around the world and Mr Newquist said there are three main reasons why; its portability, the fact someone can sing and play it at the same time, and that it must be embraced to be played.

“With guitar you have to pull it close to you and hold it in order to play,” he said.

“While you’re playing it, it resonates against your chest cavity and your abdomen, so you actually feel sound and music going through your body while you’re playing.”

Medieval to Metal will be on display until Sunday 2 February 2025. More information can be found on the Art Gallery of Ballarat website.