Williamsburg Regional Library

Hidden Treasures with Betty Churcher: Inside the National Gallery of Australia

videorecording

Hidden Treasures with Betty Churcher: Inside the National Gallery of Australia

921959392

Originally produced by National Film and Sound Archive of Australia in 2006

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The National Gallery of Australia has more than 100,000 works in its collection - an extraordinary reservoir of creative vision and cultural history, from decorative arts to photography and sculpture. Yet on a visit to the gallery, you'll see only the tip of this iceberg. Carefully stored away are the things that can't be placed on permanent display. These unseen gems include works of exquisite fragility, from brilliant hand-painted fabrics to delicate works on paper. From Australia, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania, there are masks and carvings, lithographs and linocuts, set designs and stage costumes, sketchpads and handprinted books, marionettes and maquettes, teapots and textiles, and much, much more. Now in this series of micro-docs, former director of the gallery Betty Churcher presents an insider's guide to some of these "hidden treasures". In the entertaining, accessible style for which she is renowned, Betty Churcher takes us behind the scenes, sharing with us her passion and insights. From her unique vantage point, she makes intriguing connections between a range of different objects and artists, linking them to the stories that surround them. These are fascinating tales - about the works themselves, the people who created them and the challenge of preserving them - and a tantalising look at some of the ideas and influences that have shaped modern art across the globe. A Film Australia National Interest Program in association with Early Works. Produced with the assistance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Copyright - 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Executive Producer: Anna Grieve Producer: John Hughes, Philippa Campey Director: John Hughes Writer: Betty Churcher DOP/Cinematographer: Joel Peterson Narrator/Presenter: Betty Churcher

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