Expo 88 Collection

Brief description

The 1988 World Exposition was held in Brisbane. Commonly known as Expo 88, it attracted large numbers of tourists and was known for its innovative technological and cultural displays. Queensland Museum holds a wide range of souvenirs from Expo 88 including t-shirts, plush toys and a novelty passport. Additionally, the Museum holds clothing including the attendant's uniform as worn at the Queensland Pavilion and an Expo Oz costume.

Significance

The 1988 World Exposition was held in Brisbane. Commonly known as Expo 88 it is viewed as a turning point for Brisbane, and Queensland, having attracted large numbers of tourists and increased local interest and investment in arts and cultural industries. Expo was known for its innovative technological and cultural displays based around pavilions representing the nations of the world. Pavilions housed displays on the theme of Leisure in the Age of Technology, while outside in the wider Expo site daily parades, concerts, street entertainment and artworks entertained visitors. Staff and volunteers of the event wore uniforms designed by leading fashion identities of the time, such as Prue Acton, and several of these are in the Museum's collection. Two other key motifs of the event were Expo Oz - the event's platypus mascot - and the 'sunsails' logo, a graphic that depicted the colourful pavilions over the Brisbane river. These two motifs are represented across the Museum's Expo souvenir collection.