The new gallery at the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in Tasma Terrace, East Melbourne will open this Saturday, 24th July with the exhibition Backstage with the Ballet Russes (1936-40).
The exhibition will show thirty rare and never been seen before sketches of the Ballets Russes from Sir Daryl Lindsay, former Director of the National Gallery of Victoria. Sir Daryl Lindsay joined a list of many notable Australian artists who found inspiration in the tours of the Ballets Russes. These thirty sketches from Lindsay include costumes from the Australian Ballet.
The launch of BackStage with the Ballets Russes by Daryl Lindsay (1936-1940) coincides with the opening up of the Trust’s headquarters – Tasma Terrace – to the public during the weekend of 24 & 25 July as part of Melbourne Open House. Tasma Terrace will be open 10am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 12 Parliament Place, Melbourne.
Trust curator Elizabeth Anya-Petrivna says of the sketches that:
‘Lindsay’s robust, muscular depictions of the Ballets Russes in Melbourne show us lively action, erotic voluptuous forms and a glimpse into the physical demands of dance. Many of the sketches also feature recognisable famous dancers such as members of the ‘Baby Ballerinas’. Dynamic and lively, the beautiful sketches portray dancers adjusting their costumes before going on stage, resting between rehearsals or performing graceful gestures. The sketches come from a personal archive of works in the collection of Mulberry Hill, the home of Lindsay and his wife Joan, writer of Picnic at Hanging Rock, both of whom founding members of the Trust in Victoria.’
Mulberry Hill on the Mornington Peninsular in Langwarrin is owned and run by the Trust. While Lindsay lived there he produced many pencil, ink and wash, and pastel sketches that are now in public and private collections. The works on display this coming weekend have remained in Lindsay’s studio as working drawings. Lindsay referred to these sketches as ‘the artist’s rough material’ (Daryl Lindsay, 1938).
National Trust of Australia – Vic http://www.nattrust.com.au
