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Drawing - 'Tunnellers Waiting Shift', David Armfield, 1954
Reg. No: SH 901560
- Summary:
- Drawing by David Armfield, 1954. The drawing depicts a a group of workers waiting by a notice board. Armfield's other works depicting the Snowy Mountains scheme depict the Mt Beauty area, so it possible this work also depicts works in that region. Mt Beauty housed many workers and their families during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. David Armfield (born 1923) was part of the Australian Social Realist Art Movement, this drawing remained in his possession until exhibited at Social Realists Exhibition at the Melbourne Contemporary Art Gallery in July 1990.
The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme began in July 1949 when the Commonwealth Parliament passed The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Power Act 1949, which established the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority, the operating body of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Construction started on 17 October 1949, when the Governor-General, Sir William McKell, Prime Minister Ben Chifley and William Hudson fired the first blast at Adaminaby. It took 25 years to build and over 100,000 people (two thirds were immigrants) from more than 30 countries worked on the Scheme during its construction. Completed in 1974 it cost $820 million and contains sixteen major dams, seven major power stations (two underground), a pumping station, 145kms of inter-connected trans-mountain tunnels and 80kms of aqueducts. - Description:
- Raw wooden, framed, mounted ink and crayon drawing of a group of nine workers, wearing high boots and safety helmets, waiting by a notice board. In the background is an electric power pylon and cables.
| Discipline: | History |
| Dimensions: | 42.50 cm (Height), 46.50 cm (Length) |
More information
| Tagged with: | art, working life, immigration, migration settlement, hydro energy, water power, hydro electric schemes, electrical industry |
| Themes this item is part of: | David Armfield, Painter, Illustrator & Printmaker (1923-2010), Domestic & Community Life Collection, Migration Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection |
| Primary Classification: | ART & CRAFT |
| Secondary Classification: | Drawing |
| Tertiary Classification: | ink & crayon |
| Inscriptions: | Signed l.r. pencil: D. Armfield 54. Typed adhesive label: 11 TUNNELLERS WAITING SHIFT 1954/22 x 28cm Ink, Crayon $650. |
| Artist: | Mr David Armfield, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1954 |
| Place & Date Used: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1954-1990 The drawing remained in the possession of the artist until exhibited in July 1990 |
| Place & Date Exhibited: | Melbourne Contemporary Art Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Jul 1990 |
| Place & Date Depicted: | Mount Beauty, Victoria, Australia, 1950s |
Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
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