Art deco, the visual style which shaped Sydney’s architecture, fashion and advertising from the 1920s to the 1950s, is the focus of a new exhibition at the Alan Baker Art Gallery in Camden.
Alan’s Art Deco, which runs until April 2024, highlights the influence of the period through the eyes of Camden artist Alan Baker.
The art deco style first appeared in France in the 1910s before flourishing in other parts of the world, including Australia.
The first art deco buildings began to emerge in Sydney in the 1930s.
As the Australian economy started to recover and prosper following World War I and the Great Depression, Alan Baker developed a successful commercial art career with Tooth & Co producing a series of iconic advertising posters, some of which are featured in the exhibition.
Highlights of the exhibition include the Camden artist’s advertising oil paintings, artworks and portraits in art deco style, scratchboard works and some items from the 1930s to help set the scene.
Photographs that show Sydney’s art deco movement over four decades in the 1920s-50s also form part of the latest exhibition.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, is encouraging locals to check out the exhibition.
“Art deco remains very interesting to many people and so we’re expecting a great deal of interest in this exhibition from locals and visitors to our area,” she said.
“Make sure you head into Alan Baker Art Gallery over the next six months – you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see this exhibition.’’
Pictured above is Mayor Cagney at the official opening of Alan’s Art Deco. Photo by Brett Atkins
