The University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AC, has described The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre as a significant cultural asset not only for the University but also for Queensland and the nation.
The Centre, to be officially opened tonight (April 15), is the new home of the University Art Museum (UAM).
The UAM houses a new and developing National Collection of Artists’ Self-Portraits, as well as Queensland’s second-largest public art collection.
The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre was created out of the old Mayne Hall, following a 12-month, $6.5 million transformation.
“This new home of the University Art Museum is a wonderful new cultural facility,” Professor Hay said.
“It gives UQ students and staff the opportunity to drop in to view and reflect on beautiful and thought-provoking works of art.
“Of course, UQ is part of a wider community, which also has access to this Centre and the exhibitions it will hold.”
Professor Hay said it was vital for the University Art Museum to have an easily accessible, state-of-the art home for its collection.
“But the Mayne Centre is more than functional – it is also architecturally stunning,” he said.
“The architects, Wilson Architects, have created a new and distinctive visual identity while recognising the building’s cultural history and the importance of preserving its outer envelope.
“The builders, Walter Construction Group, helped us achieve this challenging brief.
“UQ is greatly indebted to The Atlantic Philanthropies, whose generous donation of $5 million ensured the vision could be realised.
“We also owe much to two other benefactors – the namesakes of this building: James O’Neil Mayne and his sister Mary Emelia Mayne, who donated the land for the University’s St Lucia site and made other major benefactions including for the Mayne Medical School.”
To mark the opening of the Mayne Centre, the University is presenting “To Look Within: Self-Portraits in Australia”, the first historical survey of self-portraiture in Australia.
From April 16 to June 20, the exhibition will feature 100 self-portraits from the colonial period to the present day. It was co-curated by Ross Searle, Director of the University Art Museum, and Andrew Sayers, Director of the National Portrait Gallery.
The paintings, drawings, prints and photographs come from the National Portrait Gallery and other Australian collections. Artists include Rupert Bunny, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, William Dargie, Fred Williams, Judy Cassab, Tracey Moffatt, Margaret Olley and Jeffrey Smart.
The Centre and the exhibition will be open to the public from April 16.
UQ staff, students, graduates and the general community are invited to a UQ Community Day on April 17. The Mayne Centre will be open from 10am to 4pm, and tours and talks will run from 10.30am.
More information about the Mayne Centre or the Community Day is available at: www.maynecentre.uq.edu.au
Media: For more information, contact UQ Communications
Jan King (telephone 07 3365 1120, email j.king@uq.edu.au) or
Chris Saxby (telephone 07 3365 2479, email c.saxby@uq.edu.au).
