Reverse Tram 2011

Summary

‘Reverse Tram’, by Peter O’Doherty, is one of two lithographs acquired for the Art and Heritage Collection from the Australian Print Workshop (APW) in 2012. Peter and his brother Chris (aka Reg Mombassa) were artists-in-residence at the APW in 2011, during which they created a body of lithographs and etchings that were shown in the exhibition ‘Double Vision’. Peter O’Doherty drew this work directly onto the plate. It was then printed in two colours on two plates in an edition of 40 by Martin King, senior printer at APW, assisted by APW Trainee Eliza Turnbull.

‘Reverse Tram’ shows Melbourne’s most recognisable class of tram, the W-class, trundling along a city street. These green-and-gold timber jalopies joined the fleet in 1923, and continued to be built for service until 1956, importantly connecting the city with the suburbs as Melbourne rapidly expanded in the postwar period. Twelve of the historical W-class trams remain in service, though the tracks are today dominated by new breeds of mass-people-mover. There is an affectionate sense of nostalgia to O’Doherty’s depiction of this mobile symbol of Melbourne.