QPAC hosts 'You Can't SitDown' music memorabiliaexhibition

Thu 12th Jul, 2007 in Local News

More than 50 Queensland music icons from the 50s, 60s and 70s are making a comeback thanks to a spirited new exhibition at QPAC.

You Can’t Sit Down is an unforgettable trip down memory lane with photographs and memorabilia, including rare footage, from some of Brisbane’s most renowned musicians from the three decades, compiled by celebrated photographer and diehard music fan, Glen O’Malley.

While the music identities are from the past, their featured portrait photographs comprising the exhibition are recent, shot by Glen between 2002 and 2005.

Fittingly, the free exhibition takes its name from the 1967 song from The Purple Hearts, Glen’s favourite band at the time.

“My original concept was to produce portraits of people whose music I listened to as a teenager and young man in Brisbane between 1963 and 1975. Since then, the concept has become more blurred, as I kept meeting musicians who played prior to 1963, and I felt that it was important to not miss out on these important figures. There is a rock bias to the portrait subjects selected. However, my musical interests went beyond that. There are folk singers, disc jockeys, rock venue and event entrepreneurs, composers and even a woman who has been president of a fan club for 40 years.”

Music identities featured in the exhibition include Mick Hadley, original member of The Purple Hearts, Owen Ray, founding member of pop group The Countdowns, pop idol Tony Worsley, Architecture Review Band member Ralph Tyrrell, Railroad Gin rocker Carol Lloyd and country icon Chad Morgan. Many of the 50 plus artists have also supplied memorabilia for the exhibition.

An important time in Brisbane’s thriving music history captured in one exhibition, You Can’t Sit Down demonstrates QPAC Museum’s commitment to collecting and celebrating the history of Queensland’s performing arts.

Venue: Tony Gould Gallery, QPAC

Date/time: 17 July to 27 October, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm