Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Photographic portrait of Graeme Murphy

Photographic portrait of Graeme Murphy

Silver gelatin print

Presented by Diana Heath, 1992

PXD 605 / 6

Graeme Murphy AM (born 2 November 1950) is a bastion of contemporary dance in Sydney. Although he trained and performed in classical ballet, in 1979 he became artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company. With his wife and fellow dancer Janet Vernon, Murphy led the company for the next 30 years. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1982 for services to ballet. Branco Gaica is a Sydney-based commercial photographer. 

Mythologia

By Alison Wishart

In this work, choreographed for the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, Graeme Murphy drew inspiration from the earliest Olympic Games held around 8 BCE. Victory at the games brought glory to an athlete’s family and city and was often celebrated in specially written songs and poetry. The 5th century BCE Greek poet, Pindar, penned victory odes, which tell us about the early Olympics.

The athletes at the Olympic Games performed in the nude, which is why these dancers are photographed naked.

Sydney Dance Company poster promoting Mythologia, 2000

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