The changemaker objects that left an impact on our curators
We asked some of our Exhibitions and Collections staff if there was a particular Changemakers object that made an impact on them.
Latest articles
The art of activism - these artists use embroidery to make change
Created by artists Tal Fitzpatrick, Sofia Fitzpatrick, Kait James, Amy Claire Mills and Guy Ritani, these banners bring to life the slogans used by social movements over generations.
‘Just add unicorns': Celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra’
A royal tour is filled with grandeur and glamour; there’s gowns, tiaras, fancy state balls, and sometimes, even unicorns. Intrigued? Read on to discover how Canberra welcomed not only the Queen, but also mystical beasts from another land.
7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament
From a rock band front man with a long ministerial career, to the fearless wartime spy who thought running for office was 'the stupidest thing' she ever did, here are seven famous faces that threw their hat in the ring for a local, state or federal election.
Stepping into the past and present within the MoAD Shop
Aleyn Silva is an intern at MoAD as part of the Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program led by Accessible Arts and run in partnership with Diversity Arts Australia. Here, she reflects on an afternoon spent in our newly refurbished MoAD Shop.
Westminster Abbey to Old Parliament House: A Queen is crowned
Can you imagine working in the same job for 70 years? Well, Queen Elizabeth II can! This year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to Britain and the Commonwealth and claiming the title of the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
A seat at the table
We speak to three Australians who will vote for the first time during this upcoming federal election.
Beyond the ballot
If you’re too young or otherwise unable to vote, here are my top five suggestions for alternative ways you engage with the democratic process. Let’s look beyond the ballot for ways you can influence the world around you.
The eyes have it
As illustrator Nigel Buchanan worked on a series of prime ministerial portraits for our new exhibition, he quickly ran into a problem... Many of Australia’s prime ministers served in a time before the ubiquity of colour photography. This meant that one key detail remained a mystery. Enter MoAD researcher Campbell Rhodes.
Touching the tipping points of history: Q&A with curator Jennifer Forest
Our new exhibition, Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World, explores the events that shaped our nation and our democracy. Exhibition curator and ‘storyteller’ Jennifer Forest spoke to us about bringing it all together.
A brief history of opinion polls
People often say politicians are too influenced by polls. How long has this been the case? The art of gauging public opinion is quite old and over time has become more and more complex. Here’s a summary of the history of opinion polls, in Australia and elsewhere.
How to vote
Here’s a handy Q and A about how to vote, where to vote, how to make sure your vote counts, and what you can expect on election day.
Why do we have elections anyway?
For some, elections might seem a boring chore, but plenty of others think they’re a vital part of our society, and important since we live in a democracy.
MoAD Director Daryl Karp introduces Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World
We’re delighted to announce that we will be opening the first gallery of our new permanent exhibition – Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World – on 28 April.
Democracy DNA: An exploration into Australian democracy and the people who built it
Aleyn Silva is an intern at MoAD as part of the Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program explores MoAD’s new exhibition, Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and The World.
Nigel Buchanan: Confessions of an illustrator
Award-winning Queenstown artist Nigel Buchanan created new portraits of all 30 former prime ministers of Australia for MoAD's latest exhibition Democracy DNA: People, Prime Ministers and the World. We caught up with Nigel to discuss broken teeth, tiepins and which former prime minister never seemed to smile
Five people to write a letter to
With a federal election just around the corner, there is no better time to proactively engage with democracy and make your voice heard. In an age of emails and DMs, a handwritten letter is a great way to have your message stand out. So, dust off your stamps and pick out your favourite pen as we suggest five people you can write to.
Q&A with Emma Gwynn, Manager of Heritage and Collections
It takes a lot of people to clean up after a fire, especially for a heritage-listed building. Emma Gwynn, our Manager of Heritage and Collections, is just one member of the multiple teams working tirelessly to reverse the devastating fire damage at Old Parliament House. We spoke to her about the restoration process, and everyday maintenance for historic buildings.
The careful conservation of the statue of King George V
Since Old Parliament House opened in 1927, guests have been greeted by the towering bronze statue of King George V in King’s Hall. Today, as a result of the fire in December 2021, it's time for King George to undergo a more considered clean and shine.
Through the ashes: The doors of Old Parliament House
The front doors of Old Parliament House were designed in 1924 by Commonwealth Chief Architect, John Smith Murdoch. Since their installation, the doors have witnessed countless historic events, with consequences that have rippled throughout the decades and continue to shape our nation today.
