Temper of the times

A MAJOR exhibition celebrating the ‘power and the passion’ of inspirational rock band Midnight Oil will open free to the public at Noosa Regional Gallery from Friday 2 September.
Developed by Manly Art Gallery and Museum’s Ross Heathcote, Wendy Osmond and Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, The Making of Midnight Oil examines the band’s impact on social and cultural history across a 40-year period.
It showcases iconic stage props, instruments, protest banners, hand-written lyrics, photographs and posters, as well as rare and exclusive footage and unreleased music, sourced from public and private collections and the band’s own archives.
From Sydney’s northern beaches pub circuit in the 1970s, Midnight Oil’s fierce commitment to environmental, social, anti-war and Indigenous rights issues went on to win the band audiences across the globe.
With nearly a dozen songs on the Billboard charts and Diesel and Dust topping the list of 100 Best Australian Albums Of All Time, Midnight Oil was a force to be reckoned with.
Noosa regional gallery director Nina Shadforth said the gallery is thrilled to be chosen as the only Queensland stop in The Making of Midnight Oil exhibition’s tour.
“This exhibition will be a timely refresher for Midnight Oil fans given the band’s recent announcement to tour in 2017,” she said.
“Our expanded public program includes a curator’s guided tour with band member Rob Hirst.
There’s a song-writing workshop in collaboration with Sean Sennett and children’s activities such as instrument making workshops, Zines and loads more.
“An unseen film montage by award-winning director David Bradbury featuring the Oils performing at the 1981 Tanelorn Festival in Stroud, New South Wales, will be a highlight as it’s the only known footage of this concert.”
Ms Shadforth said she is also pleased to showcase the band’s personal home movies filmed on Super 8 while on tour in the early 1990s.
Oils band member Rob Hirst said it’s not just an exhibition but also the story of a time when music – loud, fast and original – was all that mattered.
“And it’s about the bands and the beer-halls and the smoky, sweaty, sticky joy of it all,” he said.
The Making of Midnight Oil is open from Friday 2 September to 20 November at Noosa Regional Gallery.
For more information, find the gallery on social media or visit www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au.
The Making of Midnight Oil touring exhibition is funded by Visions of Australia, Arts NSW and Manly Art Gallery and Museum.