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Australia, Sailing Sydney Harbour NSW
Australia, Sailing Sydney Harbour NSW

Australia, Sailing Sydney Harbour NSW

Artist (Australian, 1887 - 1973)
Datec 1950
Object number00039720
NamePoster
MediumPaper, linen
DimensionsOverall: 1008 × 633 mm
Mount / Matt size (G Fini Mount): 1250 × 901 mm
Copyright© James Northfield Heritage Art Trust
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis poster produced by the Australian National Publicity Association shows the billowing sails of vessels racing on Sydney Harbour, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance. Travel and tourism organisations produced posters like this to tempt travellers and tourists from overseas and from within Australia.HistoryPosters commissioned by the Australian National Publicity Association featured iconic Australian locations as desirable destinations. Travel posters tapped into the desire of their prospective audience by presenting an attractive alternative to reality. Posters produced for the local market were more likely to advertise the charms of a specific location than those developed for an international audience. James Northfield (1888 - 1973) was born in Geelong Victoria and set up his own commercial studio in the 1930s. Northfield specialised in hand lithographic work and was commissioned by major local and national organisations such as Victorian Government and Australian National Travel Association to design travel posters. His work appeared in billboard advertisements, promotional travel posters and posters relating to World War I and II. Northfield's works were distributed throughout Australia and internationally.SignificanceThe poster designed by prolific poster artist James Northfield, illustrates the use of sailing imagery in tourism marketing campaigns in the early 1950s. It represents early 20th century design trends and the role of Modernist aesthetics in popular culture.