Media Release

Eureka: A new exhibition!

Was Eureka the ‘birthplace of Australian democracy’? Did the Eureka rebellion change the way Australians see themselves? The events, the significance and even the exact location of the Eureka Stockade have been debated for 150 years. A new exhibition opening at the State Library of Victoria in August tackles these questions.

Eureka revisited: the contest of memories is a Ballarat Fine Art Gallery travelling exhibition and uses original works of art and memorabilia to retell the story of the events in Ballarat in 1854. The show has been on display in Ballarat and Canberra and opens at the State Library of Victoria on 5 August.

‘We are delighted to have the Eureka show at the Library. The intent of the exhibition is twofold,’ says CEO and State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich. ‘The first part of the show will retell the story of the events of 1854/55 using art works, posters and memorabilia for the 1850’s. The second part explores the development of the Eureka ‘myth’ and the ways the story has been interpreted or used (some would say abused) during the past 150 years,’ she said.

This exhibition chronicles Eureka and will explore the making of the Eureka legend in literature and visual and performing arts. It marks the 150th anniversary of the Eureka ‘rebellion’. Eureka revisited will feature some major and striking modernist and contemporary works of art that were inspired by Eureka imagery and symbolism. Artists as diverse as Sidney Nolan, Gary Shead and Sally Smart are represented.

Eureka revisited – the contest of memories exhibition opens 5 August – 30 October 2005, Keith Murdoch Gallery, State Library of Victoria, Entry 1, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Entry is free.