RELEASED 18-02-09
UQ IPSWICH FINDS THE UNIDENTIFIED IPSWICH WOODCARVER
The University of Queensland’s Ipswich Campus is supporting the Peter Harley: an Ipswich woodcarver exhibition currently displayed at The Ipswich Art Gallery.
Harley’s carvings are well known in the Ipswich region, although few people would know his name. He was a patient of the Ipswich Hospital for the Insane (later called the Challinor Centre) in the early twentieth century who developed remarkable woodcarving skills. Professor Alan Rix, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Queensland, Ipswich discovered Peter Harley’s identity after a mirror was donated to the Ipswich Campus and he noticed the similarity to other pieces he had seen.
Little is known of Harley’s life or circumstances. He was 35 years of age when he came to the attention of Rockhampton police as being confused and unable to give a clear account of himself. He had no woodcarving tools in his possession when detained, so it appears that he took up woodcarving after being institutionalised. He was transferred to Ipswich in 1908, where he spent the remaining years of his life.
The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus now occupies the site of the Challinor Centre and has two pieces created by Harley on display. With the assistance of University and Professor Alan Rix, the Ipswich Art Gallery has organised this exhibition of some 60 pieces, many on loan from private collections, of his carving which demonstrate the amazing creativity of this man who was in the Asylum for so much of his life.
Eager to share this exhibition with UQ staff, Professor Rix organised a special morning tea at the Ipswich Art Gallery for Campus staff to hear more about Harley’s life and to see first hand this amazing collection.
The official launch will be held on Wednesday February 18 from 4.30pm at the Ipswich Art Gallery and opened by Parliamentary Secretary, Member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan MP, and Mayor Paul Pisasale.
Michael Beckmann, Director of the Ipswich Art Gallery says “Peter Harley: an Ipswich woodcarver presents an uplifting story about a man who was institutionalised and yet managed to create a collection of truly eccentric and unique carvings. The exhibition also brings to light a fascinating part of Ipswich's cultural heritage.”
Peter Harley: an Ipswich woodcarver is now open at Ipswich Art Gallery and runs until Sunday March 29 2009.