Absolutely Mardi Gras - MAAS Collection

In 1996 the Powerhouse Museum presented 'Absolutely Mardi Gras, costume and design of The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.' The exhibition explored the parade and its history, the Mardi Gras workshop and the impact of individual designers on Australia's largest community arts event. Many of the spectacular Mardi Gras costumes in the collection were acquired at that time.

The exhibition was accompanied by the 'Absolutely Mardi Gras' publication and this is an excerpt from the book written by …

96/305/1 Costume, Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, 'Arabesque', mixed media, designed and made by Ron Muncaster, used by Jacques Straetnans, Sydney, 1992

Mardi Gras costume by Ron Muncaster

94/111/1 Costume and accessories, 'Wood Woman', plastic / lycra, Brenton Heath-Kerr, Australia, 1993

'Wood Woman' costume by Brenton Heath-Kerr

96/76/2 Photograph, cibachrome print, 'Brenton in Tom', paper, set design by Brenton Heath-Kerr and Brendon Williamson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, photograph by Peter Elfes, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, printed by Australian Imaging Group, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1992-199

'Brenton in Tom' photograph by Peter Elfes

96/305/2 Costume, 'Cotton Blossom', Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, mixed media, designed, made and worn by Ron Muncaster, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1994

'Cotton Blossom' costume by Ron Muncaster

94/111/2 Costume and accessories, 'Gingham Woman', lycra, Brenton Heath-Kerr, Australia, 1991

'Gingham Woman' costume by Brenton Heath-Kerr

96/76/1 Photograph, cibachrome print, 'Brenton in Gingham', paper, set design by Brenton Heath-Kerr and Brendon Williamson, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, photograph by Peter Elfes, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, printed by Australian Imaging Group, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1992

'Brenton in Gingham' photograph by Peter Elfes

96/298/1 Performance costume (16), 'Cowdyke', Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, textile/plastic/metal, designed, made and worn by Philippa Playford, made in Stanwell Tops, Sydney, Australia, 1995

'Cowdyke' costume by Philipa (Pip) Playford

94/111/3 Costume, 'Tom', photograph / cardboard / plastic, Brenton Heath-Kerr, Australia, 1992

'Tom' costume by Brenton Heath-Kerr

95/339/3 Posters (2), 'Sydney Gay Mardi Gras', paper, designed by David McDiarmid, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1990

'Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras' posters by David McDiarmid

94/174/1 Fancy dress costume, 'Lobster Mornay', plastic/foamcore/polystyrene/latex/paint/cardboard, Brian Ross, Australia, 1994

'Lobster Mornay' costume by Brian Ross

2008/129/3 Poster, 'Sleazeball', colour offset print on paper, designed by Ron Smith, printed by Sydney Gay Mardi Gras, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1987

Poster, 'Sleazeball', designed by Ron Smith

95/339/5 Posters (2), 'Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1992', paper, Philippa Playford, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1991-1992

'Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1992' poster by Philippa Playford

96/346/1 Wig, 'Pretty Pony', sponge foam / acrylic paint / glitter / wire / fabric, Michael Gates, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1995

'Pretty Pony' wig by Michael Gates

2008/129/6 Poster, 'Urban Tribalwear Peter Tully', screenprint on paper, designed by David McDiarmid, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1981

'Urban Tribalwear Peter Tully' poster

97/110/6 Badge, 'Happy Mardi Gras / BGF', metal / plastic, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BFG), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1994

'Happy Mardi Gras BGF' badge

95/172/1 Costume, Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, fabric / plastic / metal, Peter Tully, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1990

Mardi Gras costume by Peter Tully

95/339/10 Poster, 'Sydney Gay Mardi Gras 1988', colour offset on paper, designed by David McDiarmid, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1988

Poster, 'Sydney Gay Mardi Gras 1988'

95/175/7 Outfit, mens, comprising jacket, trousers and hat, suede / leather / rabbit fur / shell / elastic / metal, by David McDiarmid, New York, United States of America, 1989-1992

Mens outfit by David McDiarmid