Culture and Arts Minister John Day has announced a partnership between the Western Australian Museum and the family of Perth-born film and television star Heath Ledger to create a world-class exhibition about his life.

The exhibition is in the early planning stages and the Museum is working closely with Heath Ledger’s father Kim Ledger regarding content.

The exhibition is planned to open in 2012 and the family has already provided iconic objects such as the costume Ledger wore as part of his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight and the Oscar awarded to him for the role.

It will also include memorabilia from less well-known areas of his life including his aspirations as a director, his talented work creating music videos and his formidable abilities as a chess player and photographer.

Mr Ledger said he was pleased to work with the WA Museum on the exhibition, saying he believed it would result in a display that would attract both local interest and visitors to Western Australia, from interstate and overseas.

The Art Gallery of NSW will lend the Museum the painting, Heath, by Melbourne-based artist Vincent Fantauzzo.

Ledger’s box office successes included 10 Things I Hate About You, The Patriot, Monster’s Ball, A Knight’s Tale and Brokeback Mountain, all of which will feature in the exhibition.

Read the ministerial press release here: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=135554

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=135554