I Do - Wedding Stories from Queensland | Queensland Museum
Actually I DID.
Got married that is.
Mine was a marriage fraught with discontent so it was with some misgiving that I attended ‘I Do! Wedding Stories from Queensland’ currently on at the Queensland Museum.
Leanne Zimmerman dress
Cover image: Hmong Wedding Dress and Story Cloth
The exhibition was not as large as I expected but I soon forgot about its size as I engaged with the beautifully designed wedding attire on display. The main focus of the exhibition was to educate the viewer about weddings that had occurred here in Queensland over a certain time period. It was obvious that the wedding dresses were chosen from different periods taking into account the chronological arrangement of the various gowns that were on display. I was impressed with their immaculate condition as I strolled through the exhibition. I could not help but admire the intricate workmanship that had gone into creating the eye-catching designs.
It did also leave me pondering on the skill that is required to conserve the quality and fragility of these pieces.
Besides the classic white gowns (I forgot to mention suits) on display, it was refreshing to see same-sex marriage outfits included in the exhibits. More so after the unsavoury debacle Australia has been faced with in recognising and acknowledging the LGBTQ community. The one ethnic wedding design that caught my attention was an outfit used in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony. The intricate beadwork and exquisitely colourful fabric interspersed with delicate motifs was breathtaking.
Amidst the overall display of wedding gowns, viewers were invited to sit across from a large screen on which several couples were being interviewed. Couples from several age groups and different ethnic backgrounds enthusiastically discussed the lead up to their respective weddings and the sometimes complex arrangements that went into the successful organisation of these auspicious and memorable times. Each couple particularly the females were able to give the viewer a detailed description of their individual wedding dresses and the significance of the designs they chose.
One particular couple being interviewed caught my attention.
Commissioned wedding dress - Artists Simone Arnol and Bernard Singleton
Both were of First Nations descent and agreed to celebrate their wedding by acknowledging the history of their ancestors. This resulted in the train of the wedding dress bearing images of past generations (hence the warning on entry). The final printed design was a confronting reminder of the tragic history and traumatic experiences of our First Nations brothers and sisters. The thought and creative input that resulted in this exquisite design deserves respect and admiration.
I did expect to find far more variety in wedding attire based on my interaction with the various ethnic groups who reside in Queensland. In hindsight that would not have been possible unless the designs already were a part of the Queensland Museum’s extensive collection of wedding artefacts.
In conclusion, a thoughtfully curated and engaging exhibition that certainly made me feel buoyant in spite of my initial misgivings.
