A Look Inside ACMI's Cracking New Wallace & Gromit Exhibition

Break out the Wensleydale! Following in the footsteps of the massively popular Pixar and DreamWorks Animation exhibitions, the latest show at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image pays tribute to the studio behind stop motion's most iconic duo.

Originally created for the Art Ludique – Le Musée in Paris, Wallace & Gromit and Friends: The Magic of Aardman is ACMI's contribution to this year's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series. The delightful exhibition features more than 350 objects, including props, models, storyboards, concept art, photos, clips and behind-the-scenes interviews. It's a comprehensive survey of the history and creative process of the beloved animation studio, whose clay creations have charmed audiences for more than 40 years.

Naturally, the exploits of Wallace and Gromit take centre stage. You can see the rocket the pair took to the moon in A Grand Day Out, admire the veggies growing in Gromit's carefully tended garden, and shake your fist at early character sketches for the dastardly Feathers McGraw. There's also an entire section dedicated to cracking contraptions that's sure to get your imagination working overtime.

But there's much more to Aardman than what goes on at 62 West Wallaby Street, Wigan. From Creature Comforts to Chicken Run to the deeply unsettling Angry Kid, the exhibition leaves no stone unturned. You can even get a glimpse at a number of the studio's more memorable commercials and music videos, including their groundbreaking clip for Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer'.

Frankly, we could have spent all day exploring the exhibition. But for those of you who might be short on time, here are five things on offer you absolutely have to see.

THE ORIGINS OF WALLACE & GROMIT

Early sketches reveal the secret history of Gromit and his eccentric owner, who it turns out was originally a postman named Jerry. Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it? Reckon we can all agree creator Nick Park dodged a bullet there.

THE CHICKEN RUN FLYING MACHINE

A key model from Aardman's first feature-length film, the flying machine is a bizarre contraption born of hard work and a belief in the impossible. In that way, it is the item that best exemplifies the spirit of the studio itself.

THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS PIRATE SHIP

Admittedly, the flying machine is somewhat overshadowed by what is inarguably the piece-de-resistance of the ACMI exhibition: the five-metre-high ship from The Pirates! Band of Misfits. So impressive is the model that you could be forgiven for thinking it's about to sail off at any moment.

MAKE YOUR OWN CLAYMATION

Fancy yourself the next Nick Park? Then why not try making a short animation of your own. Visitors will get the chance to mould a colourful clay character, before bringing them to life frame-by-frame. They say it's meant for kids and families, but don't let that stop you.

AN EARLY LOOK AT EARLY MAN

Round off your visit with a behind-the-scenes look at what Aardman are up to next. Due for release in early 2018, the prehistoric Early Man features the voice talents of Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston and Maisie Williams, and looks like an absolute blast.

Wallace & Gromit and Friends: The Magic of Aardman is showing at at ACMI from June 29 until October 29.

Images: Charlie Kinross.