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State of the union
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State of the union

by Jacqueline Doughty, Kelly Gellatly

This exhibition catalogue explores the relationship between artists and political engagement, focusing on the labour movement and trade unions. It examines artworks investigating industrial action alongside cultural activism that advocates for fair working conditions.

Accession 14296 ISBN 9780734054456 Publisher Ian Potter Museum of Art
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Art Artists Culture Political Science Politics Social Sciences Work
CONNECTIONS
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State
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position_updated_at
2026-06-03 16:38
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vertical
Details

Physical

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Hard Back
dimensions
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Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
G:N1:1 2 Current vertical
1 week, 2 days ago
Book Location
Updated 2 days, 20 hours ago
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Last synced 2026-05-25 15:40 (1 week, 4 days ago)

Identity

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State of the union
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22600
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14296
vernon_slug
state-of-the-union-curator-jacqueline-doughty

Drives Pulse state

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Descriptive

production_date
2018
object_type
Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication, Exhibition catalogues/Catalogues/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication
object_status
Accessioned
brief_description
State of the Union explores the relationship of artists to political engagement through a focus on the labour movement and trade unions. The exhibition presents artworks that investigate industrial action and labour issues alongside the work of artists who draw upon the traditional visual strategies of protest, such as banners, posters, and collaborative actions. In addition to artworks that take trade unionism as a subject matter, the exhibition includes a consideration of artists whose practices are a form of cultural activism through which they advocate for fair working conditions, including those of artworkers. State of the Union also considers the reciprocal commitment of Australian trade unions to art and cultural production through the establishment of theatre groups, film units, libraries, and artist residencies, and via their long-standing appreciation of the power of visual communication through their use of banners, posters and murals. Alongside a selection of recent contemporary artworks, the exhibition highlights two periods in Australia when interactions between artists and the labour movement were particularly rich: the Depression era of the 1930s and 40s when the political convictions of social realist artists were reflected in artworks depicting the hardships faced by workers and their families; and the 1970s and 80s, when the introduction of community arts funding nurtured a flowering of cultural activity within trade unions and trades councils, in the form of banner and mural painting, factory festivals and artist-in-the-workplace residencies. Membership of trade unions in Australia has decreased dramatically in recent decades and government policies have rolled back many of the traditional strategies of industrial action, including the right to strike. This exhibition takes place at a time when unions and trades councils are working together to win back lost ground. In this moment of renewed momentum, State of the Union provides an opportunity to explore the historical relationship between art and the labour movement, and to consider how this collaborative advocacy for workers’ rights might continue into the future. This project is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the National Tertiary Education Union and the National Union of Workers. Published on the occasion of the exhibition 'State of the Union', 24 July - 28 October 2018.

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
Jacqueline Doughty, Kelly Gellatly
tags→ tags
Art, Arts, Contemporary Art, Art, Modern -- 21st century, Art, Australian, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Social movements, Social history, Political art, Art, Australian -- Exhibitions, Labour movement
subject_people
Rick Amor (b.1948), Sam Wallman (Australia)
subject_objects
—

Cover image

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Topics and Themes