October 19th, 2024Medieval to metal: new guitar exhibition strikes a chord

Exclusive to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Medieval to Metal features more than 300 works, including 40 iconic guitars on loan from the National GUITAR Museum (USA) alongside an awe-inspiring assemblage of photographs, paintings, drawings, illustrative designs, and objects. 

The new exhibition really appears to have been striking a chord with art and music lovers alike since it opened in recent days – and will now run through to February 2.

From medieval beginnings through to the guitar’s pivotal role in pop culture, the exhibition includes a collection of music-inspired masterpieces from Australian institutions and newly acquired works in the Art Gallery of Ballarat collection, representing almost two centuries of music symbolism in culture and art. 

One for guitar nuts and musos as well as art lovers of all ages, Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar features photographs, paintings, drawings, illustrative designs, and objects
from the gallery’s collection alongside the iconic guitars.

The exhibition tracks the instrument’s medieval beginnings as ouds and lutes, to its current role in
society, with guitar makers and luthiers using different shapes, materials, accessories, and designs over time.