MESSAGE ON A BOTTLE

70 years of South Australian wine label design

2 December 2023 - 28 January 2024
Main Gallery

‘The wine label is a powerful icon of modern civilization; it is a precious object of art that symbolizes and disseminates the cultural and spiritual values of the land where the wine is grown’ (Caldewey & House, 2004). The design of memorable and successful wine labels has seen South Australian designers and design studios gain international prominence and recognition over the last 70 years. Wine label design now has significant influence on purchasing decisions and has a significant impact on the economic, social, and cultural capital of South Australia.

The Message on a Bottle exhibition showcases 70 years of wine label design from the early generational pioneers to the contemporary corporate and boutique brands in South Australia. The exhibition celebrates the important roles and contributions of wine label design in the establishment and growth of the wine industry and its brands, which have become synonymous with the perception of South Australia across the globe. The exhibition is a rich exposé of the integral relationships between label designer, grape grower, wine producer and sales marketer – weaving the threads of education, commerce, and research for the public to sample.

Conceived by the late Rita Siow, who was General Manager of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) for 14 years and an outspoken design advocate and educator, the exhibition, which is touring regionally for the first time, features 70 wine labels presented by 10 leading wine label design studios and some of South Australia’s most prolific wine brands.

FEATURING WORK FROM:
Byerlee Design
Voice
Working images
Simple
Corner shop
Parrallax
Engelsma
Dan Tomkins
Anna Moore

OPENING NIGHT:
Friday 8 December, 6:00pm