Dive headfirst into the world of Australian art in the late 20th century with our Deep Dive talk series and downloadable toolkit. Led by University of Melbourne's Professor Lisa Slade, our Deep Dive series expands on current exhibition Brett Whiteley: Inside the Studio to contextualise his artwork and practice, and draw you into the world of art Down Under during the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Art-Party Like It's 1969: Australian Art in the 60s-80s - FREE DOWNLOADABLE TOOLKIT

Shake up a cocktail and settle into the conversation pit, because together with University of Melbourne's Professor Lisa Slade, we’ve created a tool kit that invites you into the world of Australian art from the 1960s to the 1980s. Perfect for a solo night in or a DIY soirée with friends, this kit includes a curated reading list, prompts for reflection and conversation, retro cocktail and snack recipes, and tips for throwing your own art party.

Whether you’re an art lover, book club host, teacher, or just curious about the cultural shifts of the era, this pack is a relaxed and engaging way to connect with the art and ideas of the time, through the lens of Brett Whiteley and his contemporaries.
This kit can be enjoyed on its own – but if you really want to dive headfirst into Whiteley’s world and explore the wider context in which he worked and lived, we invite you to join us for two free talks presented by Professor Lisa Slade in August and September.

SAM Deep Dives: Art Down Under in the 60s-80s with Prof. Lisa Slade (online talk)

From the parties to the politics, take a step back in time to the Australian arts scene of the 60s,70s and 80s with this fascinating online talk presented by Professor Lisa Slade, University of Melbourne.
 
Explored through the lens of Brett Whiteley’s lively creative practice, this session will build on the themes introduced in the Art-Party Like It's 1979 downloadable toolkit, but welcomes anyone interested in digging deeper into the art, politics, and cultural shifts of the period - no pre-study required! The talk will be followed by an informal Q&A and discussion.

Program Details
Date + time: Thursday 14 August, 6.00pm – 7.15pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Price: Free – registration essential to receive the Zoom link

SAM Deep Dives: The Many Shades of Blue with Professor Lisa Slade

From poetry to painting, humans have been obsessed with the colour blue since early civilisation. Together with Professor Lisa Slade, we’ll explore the powerful symbolism and shifting meanings of the colour blue in Australian art in the final talk of our Deep Dive series. From the ancient use of Reckitt’s blue in rock art to Brett Whiteley’s luminous, highly personal use of ultramarine, this talk traces the emotional, cultural, and political resonances of the colour blue across time.
 
Program Details
Date + time: Thursday 4 September, 6.00-7.15pm
Location: Shepparton Art Museum, 530 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
Price: Free – registrations essential