Exhibition title design with detail images from the artworks Return from Glenrowan and Blue for Boys
From August to October 2023 I designed the branding and collateral for the exhibition Guns and Flowers – eX de Medici / Sidney Nolan at the Canberra Museum and Gallery. The exhibition opened in October 2023 and included the main exhibition at the gallery and a site-specific installation at Lanyon Homestead.
Design rationale
I designed the branding for this exhibition to be used across a variety of applications, including print, digital and cut vinyl. I designed the title treatment to work with and without images, and for use on different coloured backgrounds.
The words ‘Guns & Flowers’ are displayed in bold text to highlight the exhibition title and create the central focus of this design. The geometric typeface has clean lines that don’t compete with the detail of the artworks in the exhibition. The artists' names are given equal prominence using the same font and size, but they vary in their colours and positioning around the title to show they are distinct from each other.
Details of two key works in the exhibition are featured as part of the branding for this exhibition. Nolan’s Return to Glenrowan is cropped tightly on the iconic Ned Kelly helmet and gun, while the detail of eX de Medici’s Blue for Boys highlights a close-up of an exploded bullet flower and a pink flower bud. These images encompass the theme with a clear visual connection to the exhibition title.
The colour scheme is a delicate pink paired with a dark, moody blue, reflecting the soft pink of flower petals and the blued steel of guns. These gendered colours also represent masculinity and femininity, which are key themes explored in the exhibition.
Variations of the exhibition title for use in different applications.
Gallery wall
Exhibition title
I used the version of the title with the artists' names reversed out in white text on a blue background, so that the names would stand out against the white of the gallery wall.
Introductory text
I designed the gallery wall text with both accessibility and social distancing in mind. The large font size for the body text allows viewers to comfortably read it without having to stand close to the wall – or other people! The middle of the text is positioned at average eye height, 1500mm from the floor.
Design and set out for the gallery wall text.
Collateral
Room brochure
The room brochure is a double-gatefold design that folds out to first display the exhibition curator's essay, then unfolds completely to showcase eX de Medici's Blue for Boys.
Double gatefold brochure design - exterior panels and back cover
Double gatefold brochure design - interior panel and front cover
Promotional material
I designed a double-sided DL flyer and an A2 poster, which were distributed to hotels, visitor centres, galleries, libraries and hospitality locations to promote the exhibition.
Press advertisements
I designed several different advertisements for local and national print publications including BMA, The Canberra Times, This Week in Canberra and Art Monthly Australia.
