arts

Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things exhibition extended at National Museum

Phoebe Blogg Published January 15, 2025 at 2.20pm (AWST)

Promtional material for Tony Armstrong's art exhibition Extra-Ordinary Things TV seriers. (Image: ABC iview)

Showcasing ordinary Australians with extraordinary stories, Tony Armstrong's 'Extra-Ordinary Things' exhibition, which opened at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra in June, will now run until February due to its popularity with the public.

A vintage ute, a novelty cheque, an elite boxing trophy and an unforgettable letter from then Prime Minister Bob Hawke are among the objects showcased in the exhibition.

As the exhibition is a collaboration between the National Museum and Fremantle Australia, and based on the ABC TV series supported by Screen Australia, The National Museum displays a selection of objects discovered by ABC personality Tony Armstrong as seen in his five-part series.

National Museum director Katherine McMahon shared her excitement surrounding the collaboration and the way in which it has uncovered wonderful new stories that talk to Australia's rich and diverse past.

"We are delighted to be involved in this fantastic project to explore the untold history of Australia and uncover the objects Australians cherish," she said.

"Three of the Museum's curators, Dr Sophie Jensen, Dr Martha Sear and Craig Middleton, showed our guest curator, Tony Armstrong the ropes, as he embarked on his first exhibition. The project was a joy to be part of."

The National Museum has also included an object from its own collection in the exhibition, to complement an object uncovered by Armstrong in the television series, both of which relate to the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

"A profound pairing is a pin presented in 1932 to rigger George Killen who leapt from a gantry hanging below the Sydney Harbour Bridge to save his co-worker Vincent Kelly who fell into the water during construction in 1930," she said.

"The pin, loaned by his great-granddaughter Liz Killen, sits alongside the medal presented to Vincent Kelly which is in the National Museum's collection."

Armstrong said he was proud of the TV series and the unique exhibition.

"I mean, what a thrill this whole project has been. From start to finish, meeting amazing people and having them share their extraordinary things. Then to have it all culminate at the Museum is wild," he said.

"I'm so honoured to be involved and I hope everyone who took part in it is as proud as I am."

Acting assistant director, discovery and collections, Dr Sophie Jensen explained the power of the exhibition in highlighting how seemingly ordinary things can have rather extraordinary stories.

"As seen on ABC TV and iView, Tony Armstrong's Extra-Ordinary Things brings together 25 personal experiences and reveals how seemingly ordinary things can have extraordinary stories," she said.

"Tony has travelled around Australia and found that even the simplest of things can tell a powerful personal story, connect a community, and illuminate our history."