Glamourising Backstage
MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACY
Behind the Lines is the flagship annual exhibition of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, celebrating political cartooning as a visual record of Australia’s political and social life. In 2025, the exhibition adopts a cinematic theme: Are We Rolling?, reflecting a year defined by drama, unexpected plot twists, romance and heartbreak.
A bold and immersive visual identity was developed, drawing on the language of film nostalgia, the identity uses rich cinematic colour, light and shadow, and a sense of movement to create a recognisable and theatrical presence.
Within the exhibition space, the identity unfolds across the title wall, interpretive panels and interactive elements to create an atmosphere of backstage glamour.
References to film reels and shifting light bring a sense of motion and energy, balancing behind-the-scenes chaos with moments of on-screen polish.
The visual language adapts to different content types, guiding visitors through the exhibition while reinforcing the cinematic narrative of the year in politics.
The exhibition catalogue extends the visual identity into a considered publication that brings together critical essays and the selected artworks.
Cinematic colour and typography create a strong framework for storytelling, allowing the work of the cartoonists to remain central while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary tone. The catalogue functions both as a record of the exhibition and as a lasting time capsule of the political and cultural landscape of the year.
The identity was extended across all branding and marketing collateral including posters, social media, learning resources and promotional materials.
SCOPE
Identity, Exhibition Design, Marketing, Publication
CLIENT
Museum of Australian Democracy
WEBSITE
https://moadoph.gov.au/explore/behind-the-lines/2025-are-we-rolling
Photos courtesy of Museum of Australian Democracy and Goldi.
Behind the Lines 2025: ‘Are We Rolling?’ celebrates the year’s best political cartoons.
Featuring established and emerging cartoonists from across Australia, this exhibition highlights the significant contribution they make to cultural and political debates through witty, insightful and often poignant satirical drawings.
This year our Behind the Lines theme is the cinema, acknowledging that, like some of our favourite movies, 2025 has been full of thrills and spills, romance and heartbreak, with plenty of unexpected plot twists. Australia’s cartoonists and illustrators have tackled many of the issues that made news, including the federal election, the cost of living, energy policy, interest rates, housing security, the economy, climate change and stories from overseas.
YOU + US
YOU + US
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