Dušan and Voitre Marek

This education resource introduces you to the work of Czech-Australian brothers Dušan and Voitre Marek. It can be used as a starting point in the classroom for students to learn about Surrealism, the experience of immigrating to Australia, the impact of war and the role of the curator. From their arrival in Adelaide in 1948, Dušan and Voitre set into motion a surge of new ideas and controversies that challenged the conventions of Australian art.

There are over 45 making and responding suggestions in this resource that are linked to the overarching themes within the Marek brothers' work and provide ideas that relate to the world of your students whilst they learn about Australian art history. Through this, students are invited to explore, discuss and compare their work with other artists they encounter in the Gallery's collection.

Australian Curriculum Connections - Civics and Citizenship (Years 7-10)

Citizenship, diversity and identity

How national identity can shape a sense of belonging in Australia’s multicultural society (ACHCK067 )
How ideas about and experiences of Australian identity are influenced by global connectedness and mobility (ACHCK081)

Australian Curriculum Connections - History (Year 5 & 6)

The role of a significant individual or group, including First Nations Australians and those who migrated to Australia, in the development of events in an Australian colony (AC9HS5K03)
The motivation of people migrating to Australia since Federation and throughout the 20th century, their stories and effects on Australian society, including migrants from the Asia region (AC9HS6K03)

Australian Curriculum Connections - History (Year 10)

World War II (1939-45)

Overview of the causes and course of World War II (ACDSEH024)

Migration experiences (1945 – present)

The waves of post-World War II migration to Australia, including the influence of significant world events (ACDSEH144)
The contribution of migration to Australia’s changing identity as a nation and to its international relationships (ACDSEH147)
The impact of changing government policies on Australia’s migration patterns, including abolition of the White Australia Policy, ‘Populate or Perish’ (ACDSEH145)

Listen to Educator Briefing with Elle Freak

Download

We recommend exploring the online components of this resource first, as it includes images, media files and links to other pages on the website which aren’t available in the Powerpoint version.

Dušan and Voitre Marek

Read

ArtsHub review - Surrealists at Sea, the new show at the Art Gallery of South Australia, shines a welcome spotlight on the works of brothers Dušan and Voitre Marek

The Conversation- Surrealists at Sea: Dušan and Voitre Marek finally receive their place in the pantheon of Australian surrealism by Catherine Speck

Podcast

Elle Freak introduces 'Dušan and Voitre Marek: Surrealists at sea'
Lisa Slade uncovers the Surrealist metaphors in 'Surrealists at sea'
Elle Freak shares her final remarks on Dušan and Voitre Marek: Surrealists at sea
Elle Freak in conversation with Olga Sankey and Ivan Marek
Tracey Lock considers how Voitre Marek embraced elemental and spiritual forces
Maria Zagala speaks on the drawings in 'Surrealists at sea'