Old Government House - Back to Black Exhibition
Friday March 15 to Sunday November 10
- WHAT: Old Government House - Back to Black Exhibition
- WHEN: 15 Mar 2024, 10:00 am until 10 Nov 2024, 04:00 pm
- HOW MUCH: From $16.59
- CONTACT: [email protected]
- Book your tickets here
Explore the different meanings of black across a century of fashion, from mourning a loved one, to the chic elegance of the little black dress, at Old Government House's new major exhibition Back to Black.
Wearing black is laden with cultural meaning, from suggesting chic elegance to mourning a loved one. This exhibition explores black’s different meanings in the past, while offering visitors the opportunity to reflect on their own relationship to wearing black in the present.
Historically most often associated with mourning, black was also a special-occasion selection for formal wear, receiving visitors, or for going out on the town. Black clothing has also been adopted to express authority or to subvert and challenge it. The careful choice of colour in dress can make statements about class and gender, power and privilege, group affiliations and particularly subcultures, or be used to signal emotion.
Back to Black is collaboratively curated by fashion historian Dr Lorinda Cramer, NIDA costume alumna Lucy Francis, and the National Trust’s curator of Parramatta properties Anna Ridley. Come and join us in exploring black’s sartorial richness.
Old Government House is open Thursday & Friday 10am-4pm
Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm.
Access: Please note this exhibition is located on the top floor of Old Government House, up a flight of stairs, and throughout select rooms on the ground floor.