POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Poster, 'Advance Australia Fair, Second Verse', designed by Peter Drew

Object No. 2016/47/4

This poster is part of an awareness raising campaign, 'Real Aussies say welcome' started by Adelaide street artist, Peter Drew. Drew was inspired by the largely forgotten lyrics of the second verse of the Australian national anthem. 'For those who've come across the seas We've boundless plains to share With courage let us all combine To advance Australia fair'. 'My favourite line is definitely the one about having the courage to combine, because courage is meant to be an Australian value,' says Drew. The placing of posters in public spaces is Drew's way of drawing attention to Australia's immigration issues and a direct response to the Australian government's 'Stop the Boats' campaign. Peter Drew's campaigns have informed peoples' attitude to Australian identity, migration, difference and created nationwide community involvement and comment. Peter Drew's work continues the role of artists as activists, and in this case quite uniquely using social media to successfully fund and advertise his campaigns as well as evoking community responses. Drew's use of a social media has seen Australians post images of their interaction with the posters through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Anni Turnbull, Curator, 2016