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National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive

Australian maximalism

Too much is never enough

Kitsch, camp and shameless excess. This snapshot of the late 1970s through to the 2000s captures a moment when Australia chose to go big.

Geographically isolated and moving beyond inherited identities, Australia responded with a glitter bomb of creativity. We chose Published in nullMuriel's Wedding: most memorable quotes

expression over coolness, emptied our Published in 1981Hats made of hairhairspray cans, and collapsed high and low culture into a single shared space.

As broadcast culture became shared national glue, millions encountered maximalism not in galleries or on runways, but in living rooms, after school, during ad breaks and on weekends. Advertising became entertainment, music videos doubled as fashion lessons, Published in 1997Aerobics Oz Style: Right here, right now

aerobics workouts came with multimedia glitz, and Published in 1985Dame Edna through the agesexaggerated personalities took centre stage. Artists like Published in 1980Flamingo Park: Jenny Kee and Linda JacksonJenny Kee, Published in 1997Pro Hart ad for Stainmaster CarpetPro Hart and Published in 1987Ken DoneKen Done defined an era of bold prints and colours, while Published in 1998Real Wild Child! exhibition CD-ROMrock stars doubled as fine artists, and Published in 1984Rare footage from the Melbourne Arts BallDIY spectacle flourished.

Australian maximalism reflects how a generation saw itself – a sensibility that still echoes today. Things once seen as ugly or unserious are now remembered with warmth, revealing our innate love for irreverence, self-expression and all things Published in 1985Live It Up music video by Mental As Anything

visibly pop. This collection celebrates a time when Australian culture chose to be too much, without apology.

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