This exhibition highlighted sheep in their various created forms. Some were majestic, a few funny and others more symbolic. Sheep in Australia have never really been confined to the paddock.

 

Since their introduction in the 1790s, merinos have been honoured in many different ways. They have been actors in tv commercials, artist's models in paintings and appeared as spectacular floats in street processions. 

 

The humble sheep has many personalities. Works by Arthur Boyd, Tracey Moffatt, Les Kossatz, Napier Waller and Hans Heysen were highlighted. As were the unforgettable Golden Fleece petrol brand, the majestic Macarthur stamps and some very funky Australian Wool Bureau promos from the 60s and 70s. Errol, Woolmark's Olympic sheep, also showed off his sporting ability.

 

Public programmes included the series of Sheep in Australian Films, Little Mary Lamb's Logo Trail, Mutton's Trail, and the Shearing Shed Activities Room. The exhibition curator was Jonathan Sweet and the exhibition designer Adam Worrall.

 

national wool museum, geelong 29/7/2000-4/2/2001

 

annette welkamp 

 

image: free promotional avantcard © national wool museum, geelong; design m.space, geelong

painting in image: C.Watkins Darling Downs (detail) 1887 oil on canvas. Collection Bendigo Art Gallery