Overview
| Bendigo Art Gallery 42 View Street, Bendigo VIC 3550 | |||||||||||||
| 19 Mar 22 - 17 Jul 22 | |||||||||||||
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Created in partnership with Graceland, this exclusive exhibition explores the extraordinary life and style of Elvis Presley.
One of the most iconic public figures of the 20th century, Elvis’s influence on music, design, art, and pop culture was profound. He is arguably the single greatest influence on the history of modern men’s fashion, constantly referenced and re-mixed by designers and celebrities today.
From his humble childhood on the poverty line in small-town Mississippi, Elvis grew up immersed in the rich and diverse music cultures of the deep South. Only two years after cutting his first single at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, Elvis had signed a major record deal and virtually overnight shot to super-stardom the likes of which had never been seen before. In those early heady years, he purchased Graceland and created the private haven he would never sell, despite his ever-increasing fame over the following two decades.
In a time before celebrities had teams of personal stylists, Elvis carefully crafted his own look, borrowing from eclectic sources to perfect a ground-breaking new style. Decked out in threads from the ultra-hip Lansky Brothers store on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis, with slick coiffed hair and black mascara, Elvis’s appearance was as sensational as his music.
His audacious style evolved over the decades: from the soft trousers and argyle socks of his youth, to the leather rocker of 1968, to the flamboyant bling of the 1970s. Elvis maintained long-term partnerships with not only the Lanskys, but designers such as Bill Belew - creator of the karate-inspired stage suits that rapidly evolved into the bejewelled jumpsuits of Las Vegas.
Direct from the Graceland archive, the exhibition features a wide range of costumes and ultra-cool outfits, vintage memorabilia, and treasured items from his beloved Graceland home. Fashion highlights include Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding outfits, the repurposed ’68 Special costume he wore to meet President Nixon, the diamond-encrusted Maltese cross necklace designed by Linda Thompson, and a dazzling array of Vegas jumpsuits. Personal treasures include his gold telephone, karate gi, his first-grade crayon box from Tupelo, and the bongos Priscilla gifted him on their first Christmas together in Graceland.
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Visiting the Gallery
Face masks and vaccination status
Whilst masks are not required to be worn inside the Gallery, we recommend wearing a mask where possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visitors do not currently need to provide verification of their vaccination status to enter the Gallery.
I have exhibition tickets but have tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you must not attend Bendigo Art Gallery during your isolation period. To request a refund please ensure you contact us a minimum of 24 hours before the entry date printed on your ticket.
To request a refund due to COVID please complete this form.
Parking near Bendigo Art Gallery
Enter all-day parking from the roundabout on the corner of View St and Rowan St.
You can purchase a ticket at the available machines or avoid the machine queue by using the PayStay app. Enter the zone number displayed on the PayStay signage and start a parking session. Click here for more information on getting to the Gallery.
For kids
The love of Elvis spans generations. Look for this logo throughout the exhibition for stories and information suited to all ages.
Access Elvis
Bendigo Art Gallery is committed to providing access to our collections and exhibitions for all audiences by creating opportunities for focused encounters with art through visual, auditory and tactile, or sensory experiences.
Click here to explore our range of Elvis: Direct from Graceland access programs and tools including deaf and hard of hearing tours, blind and low vision tours, sensory information, and sound guides.
Caring for the artefacts
Most artefacts in Elvis: Direct from Graceland are displayed inside museum cases. Selected items, such as the jumpsuits, are on ‘open display’ – meaning they are not inside a case. This allows visitors to look closely, appreciate fabric textures and observe fine details.
All artefacts in our exhibitions and collection are protected by the Gallery’s climate-controlled environment and security systems, and are handled only by specialised staff. They are checked daily to ensure their good condition.
Please help us to preserve the artefacts by refraining from touching or leaning into the displays, and by switching off your camera flash.
Visiting Bendigo?
Explore VIVA Bendigo, an exciting program of events and experiences to celebrate the Australian Exclusive, Elvis: Direct from Graceland.
Click here for accommodation, events and experiences.
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