MESSAGE ON A BOTTLE – 70 years of South Australian wine label design

2 December 2023 – 28 January 2024

In the Main Gallery.

The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre is open:

Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 5.00pm, Saturday, Sunday & Public holidays 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

‘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 a 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 expose of the integral relationships between label designers, grape growers, wine producer, and sales marketers – 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 features 150 wine labels presented by 15 leading wine label design studios and some of South Australia’s most prolific wine brands including Gem Tree, S.C Pannell, Hugh Hamilton, Sevenhill Cellars, The Other Wine Co, D’Arenberg, Tapanappa and Samuel’s Gorge.

FEATURING WORK FROM:
3 Bags Full
BigRoar
Black Squid Design
Cornershop
Detour Design Studio
Frame
John Nowland
Landmark
Mash Design
Parallax Design
Studio Engelsma
Voice