The visual arts exhibition "Federation" debuted at the National Gallery of Australia (in Canberra) in December 2000 and will be traveling to venues throughout that country until July 2002. In one of the book's forewords, Australian Prime Minister John Howard expresses his hope that people will visit the exhibition as part of their centenary celebrations. Although the exhibit itself is not coming to the United States, Americans at least have the pleasure of this lushly illustrated exhibition catalog. McDonald, the exhibition curator and head of Australian art atthe gallery, was assisted with the text by 14 other specialists (most also from that institution), whose initials are noted after their contributions. The exhibit spans the century, focusing on a number of themes such as the land, cities and suburbs, and boom and bust. Different media expressions include Aboriginal mythological creations on bark, British-influenced oil portraits, souvenir ephemera from 1901, watercolor town views, World War I prints, ceramics, abstract sculpture, and photographic records of modern life. The eyeopening cultural diversity of this book makes it highly recommended for all public and academic libraries. Anne Marie Lane, American Heritage Ctr., Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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