Sydney Bridge Celebrations March 19th 1932 - Be there!

Artist Douglas Annand (Australian, 1903 - 1976)

Maker A Whitmore

Date1932

Object number00009341

NamePoster

MediumColour lithograph on paper

DimensionsOverall: 476 × 636 mm, 300 g

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis poster promotes the celebrations associated with the opening of what was to become a national and international icon, the Sydney Bridge, 1932. A statuesque lifesaver dominates the scene while spectators clad in swimwear watch the harbour pageantry from shore. HistoryThroughout the 20th century, posters were used as a relatively inexpensive, eye catching and easily distributed way of marketing. This brightly coloured poster celebrates the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932. Since its construction the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become a national and international icon of Australia, symbolising the aspirations and heralding the gateway to the nation. Douglas Annand (1903-1976) was a freelance commercial artist. In 1932 he gained public interest by winning the poster competition for the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was to be a further thirty years before Annand attained similar recognition for his poster designs when in 1959 he was commissioned to produce posters for the Adelaide Festival of the Arts. Annand designed posters that represent scenes of Australian culture that captured the international imagination. Annand developed a trademark for producing quick sketches that captured the essence of the subjects he portrayed.SignificanceThe poster commemorates the opening of the Sydney Bridge later to become the most popular and recognisable icons the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This poster is representative of the work by poster artist Douglas Annand.