Aussie rock history on show at $2 million poster display in PerthArt exhibitions often conjure images of latte-sipping, beret-wearing creative types loudly philosophising over abstract works. Of course, that's not really the case – especially when it comes to James Anfuso's collection in Subiaco.
His exhibition of rock concert posters, worth an estimated $2 million, officially opened on Saturday, though several passers-by stopped to peer through the windows in the lead-up to the launch.
And it's easy to see why – a giant portrait of Frank Zappa took pride of place in the front window.
Mr Anfuso said he had seen trends come and go during his decades of collecting.
The self-confessed "confused music lover" said he had collected music memorabilia "all his life", starting with records, ticket stubs and tour programs before discovering a love for tour posters 30 years ago.
"It's overtaken my life, it's overtaken my house. Most people will collect a particular band or genre of music, but I collect posters," Mr Anfuso said.
"I'll put ABBA next to Frank Zappa. It makes sense to me, it's all music, it's all part of preserving Australian music heritage."
The Rolling Stones and AC/DC are among the posters on display.
Among the collection – the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Mental As Anything and Led Zeppelin.
Mr Anfuso said the artform had changed dramatically in recent decades with the advent of computer technology.
"We were probably a good 10 to 15 years behind the British and American design trends. The 1950s and 60s was all about fonts, in the late 60s we saw airbrushing come through and things started getting really adventurous into the 1970s," he said.
Poster designer Lex Waterreus has work on display among Mr Anfuso's collection.
"In the 80s, it was even more [adventurous]. As the late 80s approached we started seeing more corporate stuff; you started seeing more photographs being used, all produced on very low quality paper, like a one-ply toilet paper."
The collection has also been immortalised in a three-volume boxset of books, of which only a rockin' 666 copies have been printed.
"We've scanned my entire collection and, people with smaller collections, we've scanned their stuff too and we'll eventually hand it over to somewhere like the National Library," Mr Anfuso said.
"That way, future generations will all have access to our rock 'n' roll past. Otherwise, we're going to lose it!"
The Art of Rock 'N' Roll will be on display at Gallery 360 in Subiaco until 28 February.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/abo ... 3g21r.html
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