When music & history collide

The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre will host the launch of Enjoy This Trip: The Art of Music Posters, a national touring exhibition from the National Gallery of Australia on Friday.

Drawn from the National Gallery’s collection of Australian and International music posters spanning the 1960s to 1980s, Enjoy This Trip: The Art of Music Posters captures the spirit of the times and an era of experimentation.

This exhibition will speak to audiences seeking a nostalgic exploration with interests in art, graphic design, music, colour and typography.

Enjoy This Trip draws comparisons between Australian and International music culture, at the heart of the exhibition is a collection of more than 500 ’60s and ’70s music posters acquired by the National Gallery in 1978 from the collection of Ben Friedman.

Riddoch Art Gallery director Ashleigh Whatling said The Riddoch was honoured to be the first to display the collection, offering a look into a transformative era in music and design.

“We are thrilled to provide regional audiences the first opportunity to experience these genre-defining works that capture the spirit and energy of one of the most revolutionary periods in music history,” Ms Whatling said.

In conjunction with the major exhibition, The Riddoch has curated a unique, locally focused counterpart: Trip to the Mount. The hyperlocal exhibition shines a spotlight on Mount Gambier’s own music culture from the same period, featuring posters, ticket stubs, vinyl records and fashion that celebrate the rich musical heritage of the region.

Riddoch curator Chris Clements said while Enjoy This Trip showcases a global perspective on music and design through the ’60s to ’80s, Trip to the Mount grounds the experience in our community’s own musical journey.

“The combination of these two exhibitions offers visitors a unique dialogue between the international music scene and Mount Gambier’s local story,” Chris said. “This is a moment of pride for the region, and we are very excited to be presenting these amazing shows together.”

The exhibition experience will be further enhanced by ‘The Green Room’, an interactive space designed for hands-on engagement, featuring live mural painting, poster design stations and memorabilia from current local bands.

An opening event will be held on Friday at 6pm featuring a performance by local musicians Dave Graney and Clare Moore.

An encore event with live music and a floor talk by the National Gallery curator will be held on Saturday, November 2, at 11am. Both exhibitions will be on view until January 19 next year with The Riddoch open from 10am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 2pm weekends and most public holidays. Entry is free.

RSVP for the exhibition opening is essential by email to [email protected] or phone The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre on (08)8721 2563.