The National Gallery of Australia offered a light and bright reprieve from Canberra’s bleak and cold weather over the weekend thanks to the opening of an exhibition by one of the world’s “worst artists”.
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The work of polarising, printmaking, pop art producer Roy Lichtenstein, who irked the art critics when he burst on the art scene in the ‘50s, was welcomed back to the capital by Canberra’s fashionably hip at a rousing soiree on Friday evening.
A select and salubrious crowd was offered a sneak peek of the Roy Lichtenstein: Pop Remix collection which includes about 300 lithographs from his early works right through to his more renowned, large-scale prints from the late ‘80s and 1990s.
The Monet-inspired Haystacks, his surrealist Blonde series and the Bull profile all feature in the free exhibition, which has already toured through galleries in the Northern Territory, Victoria and Queensland.
Vodka-cocktail soaked conversations about postmodernism and the evolution of pop art kept security amused within the exhibition space.
Meanwhile downstairs, waiters, wearing neon Ray Ban Wayfarers and brightly coloured wigs, kept the Champagne flowing and served mini beef sliders, hot chips and mini chilli dogs.
The blood sugar levels of the guests peaked around 9pm when the lolly buffet was rolled out and the dance music began pumping. However, guests welcomed the spike in insulin as the energy came in handy for the after party, which was held at Palace Electric Cinema in New Acton.
Roy Lichtenstein: Pop Remix at the National Gallery of Australia is open until January 27. Entry is free.
