INTERPRETATION
Exhibition interpretation design
Making and Breaking the Rules: Royal Academy 250
at the Russell Cotes Gallery & Museum
An exhibition exploring the tension between the establishment and the avant-garde as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations for the Royal Academy. As a collector, Merton Russell-Cotes understood the value of the Royal Academy, assured of the quality of the artists it endorsed, and enjoying privileged access to an elite social world.
However, he was not blind to its limitations or unafraid to follow his own tastes where they differed from the institution’s. The exclusion of women and Pre-Raphaelites from membership was no bar to him acquiring the works of artists he admired.
Museum interpretation design: client brief
Goldust Design was asked to create the interpretation design across the two room gallery, and create all branding design and marketing materials.
Interpretation design: marketing
We explored a number of images with the curator before choosing ‘Sunlit Nude’ as our cover girl, who we felt challenged the establishment of its time. We designed the exhibition catalogue, posters, private view invitation, magazine advertising and social media images.
Interpretation design: inside the gallery
Working with the curator, we chose a palette of rich, vibrant wall colours as a backdrop for the sumptuous oil paintings in their gorgeous golden frames, with colours positioned to lead visitors through the space and mark themed sections. We also designed vinyl wall graphics and small captions cards for every artwork.
Art exhibition catalogue design
Goldust designed this 64 page catalogue which features essays and images from the exhibition. It was sold in the museum's shop as a popular souvenir.
