Queensland`s Pacific war experience explored in exhibition

A major exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Pacific war on August 15, 1945, will be presented by The University of Queensland`s University Art Museum.

Defending the north: Queensland in the Pacific war will be on display at the University Art Museum within the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre, St Lucia campus from August 13 to November 13, 2005 before touring to regional Queensland and New South Wales venues.

The exhibition is presented by The University of Queensland and The Brisbane Institute, in partnership with the State Library of Queensland, with the assistance of Visions of Australia.

Director of the University Art Museum, Ross Searle said the exhibition would explore the impact on and the critical role played by Queensland in the Pacific war through art works, photographs, posters, memorabilia and other items.

“The exhibition tells stories of Queensland`s war years: the debates about the `Brisbane Line`, Queensland`s role as a land base for military action further north, the social impact of an influx of American and Allied forces, and life on the home front,” Mr Searle said.

General Douglas Macarthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces and General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief of the Australian Military Forces had their headquarters in Brisbane.

“We are inviting Queenslanders to remember, commemorate, and critically reflect upon the state`s wartime experience,” he said.

Defending the North will feature paintings, watercolours, drawings, photographs and diaries by official war artists, artists serving in the forces and in camouflage units who visited different parts of wartime Queensland, and other local Queensland artists.

They include Douglas Annand, Robert Emerson Curtis, Sir William Dargie, Max Dupain, Donald Friend, Gwendolyn Grant, Nora Heysen and Frank Hinder.

Exhibition curators were Professor Peter Spearritt, Executive Director of the Brisbane Institute, Michele Helmrich, Brisbane writer and curator and Ross Searle.

In addition to works from The University of Queensland Collection, the State Library of Queensland and the Australian War Memorial also kindly contributed a significant number of works.

Other contributors include the National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Queensland Museum and Museum of Brisbane.

`Fear of invasion`, `Galvanising the locals`, `Garrison towns`, `American “invasion”`, `Lines of communication`, `Top secret`, `Enemy aliens`, `Disasters`, `Malaria wars`, `Indigenous forces`, `R & R`, `Victory and post-war outcomes` are among the themes dealt with in the exhibition.

Following its exhibition in Brisbane, Defending the north: Queensland in the Pacific war will tour to Artspace Mackay, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in Townsville, Tweed River Art Gallery in Murwillumbah, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Rockhampton Art Gallery and Maitland Regional Art Gallery.

Media inquiries: Celestine Doyle (07 3892 5436 or 0409 641 806.)