Kerry Gardner’s graduating film entitled 'Robin Boyd: Australian Beauty' captures a near forgotten period of the Swinging Sixties in Australian design with an examination, through expert interviewees and never before seen letters and photos, of the life and work of legendary architect Robin Boyd.
A whole new generation of architects across Australia and the world are rediscovering Boyd’s design genius and his acerbic and witty 'lost' ABC television series ... a time capsule of Australia in the Sixties!
The film poses the question through critical photographs and quality filming and insightful interviewees of contemporary and 20th century design 'Is Australia Still Ugly?'
Appealing to anyone who grew up when Aussie houses were either 'brick venereal' or faux Georgian or Tuscan, we laugh at suburban selves and examine the cultural cringe of the Sixties up to the year 2013.
The film also follows the psychological and physical decline towards Boyd’s tragic early death and sheds light on his previously unknown secret self through his own intimate letters.
As one of our great social commentators from the famous Boyd family it is revealed through moving conversations with his students, children and closest friends as well as academic commentators that Boyd shone as a commentator but struggled a businessman.
Made in Boyd’s own home, Robin Boyd: Australian Beauty is a groundbreaking and touching film which runs for 19 minutes and appeals to anyone over 18 with an interest in Australian design and social history.
