Royal Collection Antarctic photographs open

MEDIA RELEASE

20 August 2010

Royal Collection Antarctic photograph exhibition opens at Canterbury Museum

A major exhibition of early Antarctic photography from the Royal Collection has opened at Canterbury Museum.

Canterbury Museum is the exclusive international venue for The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton and Antarctic Photography between seasons at The Queen’s Galleries at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and Buckingham Palace, London.

The exhibition features the remarkable Antarctic photography of Herbert George Ponting and Frank Hurley. Ponting’s extraordinary images record Scott’s Terra Nova expedition of 1910–13 and Hurley’s dramatic icescapes were taken during Ernest Shackleton’s polar expedition on Endurance in 1914-16.

Presented to King George V and today part of the Royal Photograph Collection, these images are among the finest examples of the artists’ work in existence.

Complementing the photographs are artefacts from Scott’s and Shackleton’s expeditions from Canterbury Museum’s collection, along with a small display of memorabilia that celebrates the special links between the royal family and Canterbury.

Royal interest in polar exploration began with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who followed the fortunes of the early adventurers such as Sir John Franklin and William Bradford. His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, continues the tradition today and has been patron of a number of expeditions undertaken by the explorer David Hempleman-Adams, who along with Sophie Gordon and Emma Stuart, co-authored The Heart of the Great Alone book, which accompanies the exhibition.

An informative audio guide is available at the exhibition, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about Scott’s and Shackleton’s expeditions, with excerpts from diaries and manuscripts and commentary by David Hempleman-Adams, Sophie Gordon and Emma Stuart.

The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton & Antarctic Photography is open daily until 20 February 2011 in the Robert McDougall Gallery at Canterbury Museum. Admission: Adult $15, child $8 (under 5 free), concession $12, family (2 adults and 2 children) $40, audio guide $5. Canterbury Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of The Press as presenting partner for this exhibition.

Visit www.canterburymuseum.com for more information on The Heart of the Great Alone and the associated public programmes and events.

Canterbury Museum is located on Rolleston Avenue in Christchurch’s Cultural Precinct.

ENDS

Backgrounder_The_BAE_Terra_Nova.pdf
Backgrounder_Frank_Hurley_and_Endurance.pdf
Backgrounder_Herbert_Ponting_and_Terra_Nova.pdf

Exhibition Title:
The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton & Antarctic Photography

Dates:
20 August 2010–20 February 2011

Location:
Robert McDougall Gallery at Canterbury Museum

Description:
A remarkable exhibition of early Antarctic photography from the Royal Collection. Dramatic images by Herbert George Ponting and Frank Hurley document Scott’s Terra Nova expedition of 1910 – 1913 and Ernest Shackleton’s expedition on Endurance in 1914-16. Canterbury Museum is the exclusive international venue.

Admission:
Adult $15
Child $8 (under 5 free)
Concession $12
Family (2 adults and 2 children) $40
Audio guide $5

Website:
www.canterburymuseum.com

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/HOTGA/

Curator and Gallery Talks
Sophie Gordon, Curator of the Royal Photograph Collection housed at Windsor Castle and curator of The Heart of the Great Alone, will be in Christchurch from 23 – 27 August. Sophie will give gallery talks in The Heart of the Great Alone from 2.00pm – 3.00pm on Tuesday to Friday of that week.

© Scoop Media