Souter’s Bondi
Souter’s Bondi is an exhibition featuring iconic murals by David Henry Souter which were historically displayed in the clubhouse of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, alongside contemporary art commissions, to explore Souter's legacy, impact and art deco's connection to Bondi.
Souter’s Bondi returns a beloved local artifact to Bondi Beach, for contemporary viewing. The project celebrates Souter as a pivotal figure of the Art Deco style in Australian illustration. Featuring four of his iconic murals, the exhibition will explore social changes and themes of leisure, gender, local identity, and mythology. Souter’s renowned murals offer audiences a glimpse into Bondi’s history, originally adorning Australia’s first Surf Life Saving Club clubhouse, generously loaned from the National Maritime Museum.
Coinciding with celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Art Deco, the project will highlight Souter’s key role in the Art Deco Movement. His work articulated Bondi’s identity during pivotal moments in the rapid increase in popularity of beach-going after restrictions on surf bathing were eased in the early 20th century.
The exhibition features artwork commissions from contemporary practitioners funded through the Dobell Exhibition Grant Program.