1001 Remarkable Objects is a new exhibition, led by Leo Schofield AM. 1001 objects from the 500,000 objects within the Powerhouse collection were selected by Leo Schofield AM in collaboration with advisors Ronan Sulich, Mark Sutcliffe and Powerhouse curator Eva Czernis-Ryl. The selection includes objects that have never been exhibited before alongside much loved collection icons.  

Exhibition designers Pip Runciman, Julie Lynch and Ross Wallace have created an exhibition that features 25 individual rooms, presenting an unexpected juxtaposition of objects that will lead us on a journey across time and memory. Powerhouse collection objects will be presented across the applied arts and applied sciences including the decorative arts, jewellery, costume, textiles, furniture, clocks, musical instruments, industrial design and social history.   

Extraordinary objects include the only surviving fragment of the Lockheed Altair aircraft Lady Southern Cross flown by pioneer aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith for his final flight in 1935; a section of original Transatlantic cable from 1858; a mousetrap making machine designed in Sydney; an Edo period samurai warrior’s suit of armour; a 1.5 metre tall Mintons ceramic peacock from the 1870s and a Detroit Electric car manufactured in 1917.   

Costumes include the ‘Showgirl’ costume worn by Kylie Minogue for the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the ‘Pink Diamonds’ dress worn by Nicole Kidman in the Baz Luhrmann film, Moulin Rouge.

Over 100 rare and remarkable pieces of jewellery will highlight a recent major donation by antique dealer Anne Schofield AM. This includes Egyptian revival designs from the 1800s and examples of mourning jewellery crafted from human hair, which will be displayed at Powerhouse for the first time.