One of the world's most esteemed cultural institutions will debut an iconic collection of Wedgwood ceramics at Townsville's Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in an Australian-first next year.
The landmark Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition, featuring 100 objects from the UK's Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A), charts the complex history and cutting-edge creativity of Wedgwood.
Exclusive to Australia in 2025, the exhibition will take gallery visitors on a journey through more than 200 years of Wedgwood.
Townsville City Galleries director Holly Arden said she was extremely proud to be part of the team bringing this remarkable exhibition to North Queensland.
"Wedgwood is a coup for us, further cementing Townsville as the North Queensland capital of arts and culture. Townsville itself is celebrated nationally as a creative hub for Australian ceramics," Dr Arden said.
"This exhibition is making its Australian premiere in Townsville and will be exclusive to our city for 2025, which means we'll be welcoming plenty of visitors who will travel from across the country to explore this remarkable collection.
"Wedgwood: Artists and Industry is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some extremely rare pieces.
"Visitors need to know that this is nothing like looking inside your grandma's china cabinet. The company's founder Josiah Wedgwood was like an early Kim Kardashian – a brand powerhouse.
"At the same time, the Wedgwood story is woven into Australia's colonial history. Explorer Joseph Banks actually supplied Josiah with clays sourced from Sydney Cove, which were used to create a medallion commemorating the landing of the First Fleet in 1788.
"Wedgwood: Artists and Industry will mark the first time Perc Tucker Regional Gallery hosts a paid exhibition, bringing our premier gallery into line with other nationally-recognised galleries that host internationally-renowned artworks.
"Visitors to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery will be amazed by pieces spanning more than 200 years across five distinct chapters, giving them the chance to learn the history of this household name and its global impact on the world of ceramics while exploring a completely immersive exhibition experience."
V & A Wedgwood Collection chief curator Catrin Jones said the museum was thrilled to be sharing some of its most-prized pieces with Australian audiences as part of this brand-new exhibition.
"We're delighted that our exhibition Wedgwood: Artists and Industry is travelling to Townsville for its first leg in 2025. This exhibition showcases the artistry of Wedgwood and the extraordinary technical innovations that mark out this company over four centuries through highlights from the V & A's Wedgwood collections and archives," she said.
"We hope that you enjoy this exhibition and the chance to explore Wedgwood's history."
Townsville councillor Liam Mooney said the city had a long history of championing ceramics.
"Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is the home of the North Queensland Ceramic Awards, which celebrates excellence in Australian ceramics during its biennial exhibition. The awards are highly anticipated across the nation and prove there is a healthy appetite for ceramics here in Townsville," Cr Mooney said.
"Hosting Wedgwood: Artists and Industry takes the city's reputation as a ceramics hub and catapults it to the next level, showcasing our city's arts scene on an international stage.
"This exhibition will have something for everyone, so I'd highly recommend buying your tickets now to make sure you get a chance to experience the wonder of Wedgwood: Artists and Industry."
The Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
Wedgwood: Artists and Industry will run at Townsville's Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from April to August next year.
