Boom Baby Boom

Boom Baby Boom, the contemporary travelling exhibition, developed by the Bundaberg Arts Centre looks at the controversies and triumphs of the Baby Boomer generation.

Boom Baby Boom brings together a group of artists who are of the Baby Boomer generation (born 1945-1964) or immediately adjacent to that period (the Silent Generation born 1923-1944) or Generation X (born 1963-1982). The exhibition presents the artist's views on the impact and influence of the Baby Boomer generation: the people, objects and events that shaped the generation and the issues facing the ageing Baby Boomer population.

In 2003, the then Coordinator of the Bundaberg Arts Centre, Shelley Pisani, was studying project management and decided to develop a touring exhibition concept. Growing up, she was surrounded by the popular culture of the Baby Boomer generation that her parents treasured. It was this combined with the changing demographics of the Bundaberg region that inspired the theme for the Boom Baby Boom exhibition.

Funding was sourced through the Australian Government's Visions of Australia Program to support the costs of producing and travelling the exhibition.It was a great privilege to receive the funding of about $75,000 from the federal government for this project. It allowed us to produce quality display materials, crates and public programs associated with the exhibition, said Shelley Pisani

Boom Baby Boom is an exhibition that brought together a group of artists who are of the Baby Boomer generation (born 1945-1964) or immediately adjacent to that period (the Silent Generation born 1923-1944 or Generation X born 1963-1982). The exhibition presents the artists' views on the impact and influence of the Baby Boomer generation: the people, objects and events that shaped the generation and the issues facing the ageing Baby Boomer population.

In any period of history, there are controversies balanced with triumphs. Boom Baby Boom showcases some of this history through the eyes of eight contemporary artists - Seth Keen, Susan Hutton, Ann Grocott, Helene Grove, Dave Machen, Chris Johnston, Christine Turner and Jennifer McDuff. Some tell a more personal story, while others delve into issues triggered by memories or experiences. Some of the themes in the exhibition include the music revolution and the resulting "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" era.

The Vietnam War features strongly, as well as comment on the futility of war and the effects of the Atom Bomb. Women's liberation, environmentalism and the peace movement are issues that showcase the activist qualities of some Baby Boomers. Trends such as Americanisation and Consumerism are also highlighted. Central Queensland University Lecturer Dr Karl Neuenfeldt researched the themes of the exhibition to provide a social history context for the artworks.

We are really proud of the successes of this exhibition. It has toured throughout Queensland and two venues in Western Australia.
Thousands of Australians have engaged with artworks by Bundaberg artists and participated in workshops and tours that we planned as part of the project for each venue, said Shelley Pisani.