The iconic Children’s Birthday Cake Book from The Australian Women’s Weekly is being celebrated in a vibrant new exhibition by artist Donovan Christie. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the beloved cookbook, which has played a significant role in Australian childhoods by offering colourful cake designs that have delighted countless children during birthday celebrations.
Christie, who hails from Adelaide, has transformed his childhood memories of the cake book into a captivating exhibit titled Everyday’s a Birthday. The exhibition opens on October 2, 2023, at the Lennox St. Gallery in Sydney. For Christie, the book was more than just a recipe guide; it was a cherished part of his upbringing. “It was almost a permanent fixture on our kitchen table,” he recalls. “There was even a period that I would flick through it as if it was a bedtime story.”
The exhibition features several of the book’s most recognizable cakes, showcased against the gallery’s playful peachy-pink walls. Christie’s artistic approach translates these whimsical designs onto canvas, evoking nostalgia and warmth associated with childhood celebrations. “It just captures the essence of the typical Aussie childhood, spending time at home in the kitchen with mum,” he explains.
Christie’s artistic journey has taken him from the Adelaide graffiti scene to notable exhibitions, including his previous showcase titled The Milk Bars Are on Me in 2022. His work often explores suburban themes, but this exhibition allows him to delve into personal history and collective memory through the lens of cake-making.
The cakes featured in the exhibit range from animals to automobiles, reflecting the diverse options available in the original cookbook. For Christie, one cake stands out from his own past: “Mum nicknamed me ‘Donster the Monster’ from an early age – for being such a terror – so naturally, she made me the monster cake.”
As the exhibition approaches, Christie expresses excitement about revisiting the joy and creativity that the Children’s Birthday Cake Book has inspired over the decades. With this event, he invites visitors to reconnect with their own childhood experiences and the simple pleasures of baking.
The exhibition promises to be a delightful experience for both children and adults, reminding everyone of the joy that a beautifully crafted cake can bring to any celebration. As Christie puts it, “It’s all about the memories we create around food and family.”
