The Art Gallery of Ballarat is showcasing an exclusive exhibition, Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar, featuring 40 iconic guitars on loan from the National Guitar Museum (USA). The exhibition also includes a stunning collection of photographs, paintings, drawings, designs, and objects related to the guitar’s history and cultural impact.
Newquist, Executive Director of the National Guitar Museum, expressed his excitement about bringing this exhibit to Ballarat. “We’re honored to present this exhibit, which explores the guitar’s evolution from medieval times to its pivotal role in blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll,” he stated. “This exhibition tracks the journey of the world’s most popular instrument, and Ballarat is the only venue in Australia hosting this incredible collection for nearly five months over spring and summer.”
Visitors will witness the guitar’s transformation across time and continents, exploring its cultural significance in both pop culture and the art world. “With 40 different instruments on display, this exhibit highlights how the guitar became the definitive musical icon of the past century,” Newquist added.
The exhibition invites music lovers to celebrate the history behind the instruments that shaped the careers of countless stars. Rare guitars and artefacts are on display, narrating the instrument’s evolution across all music genres. Accompanying this is a nostalgic photography collection featuring iconic images by renowned rock photographer Neil Zlozower and Australian music documenter Tony Mott.
In addition, the Art Gallery of Ballarat will host a series of classical concerts titled Art Classics. These performances celebrate the guitar’s medieval origins, featuring internationally acclaimed lutenists and classical renditions of Australian rock classics like Cold Chisel.
The Art Talks series will bring music-loving experts to Ballarat, offering insight into the stories behind rock ‘n’ roll success, intimate conversations with industry insiders, and discussions about the guitar’s role in art and popular culture.
Lastly, Art Late, a series of late-night events, will combine live music, art, and local food and drink. The lineup includes performances by the Rose City Band (USA) with Dayfever on 19 October, Melbourne’s post-punk band RVG on 2 November, and rock darlings CIVIC with The Hot Lemons on 30 November.
