Captain Cook display
A complex exhibition
The National Museum of Australia celebrates Australian social history in a unique way by revealing the stories of ordinary and extraordinary Australians, promoting the exploration of knowledge and ideas and providing a dynamic forum for discussion and reflection.
With its complex structure and intricate joins, the Captain Cook display was originally set up on-site, then dismantled and taken to the Screenmakers plant.
The job involved screen-printing as well as mounting adhesive vinyl on to MDF panels and coating with a semi-matt finish. Every mitred edge had to be meticulously wrapped by hand while ensuring the individual pieces still fit together at the end. Screenmakers then transported the components back to the museum and reinstalled the exhibition on-site.
From the humble Hills hoist to the legend of ANZAC, the Nation exhibition takes a new approach to Australian history through examining Australian symbols.
Screenmakers made large-scale images to set off the Australian icon artefacts, such as the Bean car and the carriage, by applying background panels directly to prefabricated walls. Selected smaller panels were designed to sit slightly off the wall for prominence. All were vinyl prints, laminated in sandtex with wrapped edges. Beautiful vinyl prints were hung on a huge curved wall with special suspended fittings that hang under the pelmet.
Images set off the exhibits
Panels have a floating effect
Concealed hanging system
