An unusual exhibition open at the Braemar Gallery, Macquarie Road, Springwood, on September 21.
Historic Art in Promotions of the Blue Mountains showcases early posters and early tourist maps promoting the Mountains from 1883 to 1953. From etchings to watercolours to ultra fine pen drawings, every piece has been restored to archive quality. Apart from the artistic value, the pieces are also important as an historic record.
All pieces have been restored by Springwood resident, Rod Julian, who originally trained as a mechanical design draftsman.
When he came across an original Mountains poster created back in the 1800s, he couldn’t help feeling an appreciation of the skill, the effort involved and the wonderful artistic flair of the original draftsman.
He spent many hours digitally restoring that first print, making it as faultless as possible.
Soon other restorations followed, from many different sources. Each print shows some form of individual artistic expression, as well as being an important historical record.
Regretfully, the original creators are unknown. But at least their brilliant work can be appreciated by a wider audience.
The exhibition is on until October 15 at the Braemar Gallery, 104 Macquarie Road, Springwood. Thursday to Sunday 10am-4pm.
