Anzac Centenary Print Portfolio goes on display at Parliament House

One of the Australian War Memorial’s flagship centenary projects, the Anzac Centenary Print Portfolio, has today been presented to Parliament House.

Commissioned in 2014, the project features artistic responses by ten leading Australian and New Zealand artists to the history and legacy of the First World War, and in particular the shared experience of our two nations.

Director Dr Brendan Nelson called the portfolio one of the most ambitious art commissioning projects undertaken in the Memorial’s history.

“We are proud of what Australians and New Zealanders gave for our two nations in the First World War,” said Dr Nelson, “and a century later we are proud of what these artists have done to give meaning to the sacrifices of those who served”.

Each of the commissioned artists travelled to Canberra to produce their work at the Megalo Print Studio and Gallery in Kingston under the guidance of Master Printmaker John Loane.

Megalo Acting Artistic Director Megan Hinton said the studio’s involvement with the Anzac Centenary Print Portfolio had been a thoroughly rewarding experience.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity to work closely with such high-calibre artists on this significant and technically diverse print commission,” said Hinton.

The commissioned artists are: Daniel Boyd, Megan Cope, Helen Johnson, Mike Parr, and Sangeeta Sandrasegar from Australia; and Shane Cotton, Brett Graham, Fiona Jack, John Reynolds, and Sriwhana Spong from New Zealand.

A limited edition of 20 portfolios has been printed, 17 of which will be given to peer cultural institutions in Australia and around the world to promote international awareness of Australian and New Zealand artists and of our countries’ experiences of the First World War.

The portfolio presented to Parliament House will remain on public display in the Presiding Officers’ Exhibition Area until 5 June 2016. The commissioned works will also be accessioned into the National Collection of the Australian War Memorial.

Further information can be found at: www.awm.gov.au/1914-1918/anzac-centenary-print-portfolio/