Peter Tully papers

MLMSS 11518/Box 1X

fonds

approximately 1976-1991

Textual Records, Clippings

950296

0.45 metres of textual material (1 outsize)

Peter Tully was born in Melbourne in 1947. He was a close associate of fashion designer Linda Jackson, and they spent 1969-1971 travelling the globe. His interest in jewellery began with a market stall, where he sold second-hand items he had sourced from op-shops across Melbourne. He studied first at the State College of Victoria (1974), followed by a relocation to Sydney and enrolment in Randwick Technical College, later studying at the New School, New York. His first exhibition came shortly after moving to Sydney; a solo exhibition titled ‘Passion for Plastics’ (1976). Tully became an icon in the gay community of Sydney in the 1970s and 80s. This was when he met his long time creative and briefly, romantic partner, David McDiarmid. Tully was the Artistic Director of the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras from 1982 to 1986, but shortly after he distanced himself from the Mardi Gras, protesting the direction the it had moved - away from the art community and towards safe, corporate interests. He died in Paris in 1992, due to AIDS.

Compiled from file.

This collection includes correspondence, exhibition catalogues, and personal papers concerning Tully’s art, sculpture and jewellery career (compiled approximately 1990-1991), photocopies of news clippings on Tully and photocopies of creative inspiration (1976-1991).

Summarised transcript of interview in 1990 by John McPhee and Susan McCormack for the exhibition 'Peter Tully: Urban Tribalwear and Beyond' (13pp)

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