Queen - The Unseen Archive | Ballarat Art Gallery

Queen - the Unseen Archive

The Art Gallery of Ballarat

presents an exceptional world premiere exhibition showcasing a fascinating blend of photographs and memorabilia of legendary English rock band Queen.

Queen - the Unseen Archive

will feature both iconic and unseen images of the group taken by close friend Peter Hince, providing personal insight into one of the world's greatest rock bands.

Hince spanned two decades as Head of Queen's road crew during the band's illustrious career. With full-time access to all areas of Queen's life both on stage and off, Hince's work exposes the band's personal face as well as its public façade in a candid, often reportage manner, resulting in a unique photographic profile.

To complement the photographic images, the exhibition will also feature rare and exciting items of personal and tour memorabilia spanning Queen's career, including Freddie Mercury's stage clothing; hand written lyrics and signed items; plus an array of original posters, passes, tickets and other unique pieces. The colourful collection has been sourced from collectors world-wide.

Co-curator Ron Egeberg, says: "The Art Gallery of Ballarat is a leader in creating fresh, evolving and innovative ideas. This year's John Lennon – Imagine exhibition brought unprecedented crowds to the gallery and we are anticipating equally strong crowds for Queen - the Unseen Archive, with interest already building at home and overseas.

"This remarkable exhibition is a fascinating retrospective of singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor whose innovative blend of music remains timeless."

QUEEN – the Unseen Archive will be presented at the Art Gallery of Ballarat – its only Australian venue – in association with Proud Galleries, London, as its special Autumn 2010 exhibition, from 20 February to 11 April.

Tickets to the exhibition will be $15 or $10 Concession. The Gallery will also have a range of merchandise available, including souvenir T-shirts, carry bags and postcards.

The Gallery will also offer a range of events in association with the exhibition, including a fancy dress party, live music performances and competitions.

"Whatever you do dear – do it with quality – and style!"

Freddie Mercury. 1946 – 1991

Subscribe to our Queen newsletter to updates about the exhibition and associated events.

Peter Hince Photo Exhibition

After being invited to have an exhibition of my 'unseen archive' photos of rock band Queen at the Proud Gallery in central London, the show travels to the fine art gallery in Ballarat, Melbourne for a two month exhibition starting next February.

I met Queen as a teenager in 1973 when I was working for rock band Mott The Hoople. Queen were the support act on Mott's UK tour and it was their first big break.

Around 18 months later I began working full time for Queen as they began recording the Night at The Opera album.

I was principally Freddie and John’s roadie, then after a couple of years became head of the crew and worked with them full time until the end of their final tour in 1986, when I left the music business to start my career as a professional advertising photographer.

I specialise in shooting people and have continued travelling the world for high end advertising clients and won may awards for my professional work and my personal black and white underwater imagery.

I was the longest serving of any of the Queen crew and was very close to Freddie and John and enjoyed good relationships with them. I spent all those years with the band; day in and day out, touring the world and also living in The USA, Germany and Switzerland on recording projects.

Photography was simply a hobby, and during that time I took thousands of photographs of Queen; in the studio, on video shoots, rehearsals, relaxing and on only a couple of occasions, on stage.

Many of my images were used by the band for publicity, albums, single sleeves, tour programmes, fan club mags, posters etc , but most of these in the exhibition are unique and unseen.

I have also written a book of my memoirs documenting the remarkable time I spent with Queen. It is a unique series of observations and largely amusing anecdotes covering everything from Russian defectors to crystallised embalming fluid.

It was only Rock and Roll. But I liked it.

www.peterhince.co.uk