The University of Queensland Art Museum will celebrate the value of arts patronage in a new exhibition opening on March 11.
Philanthropists and Collections will feature 61 artworks donated over more than 160 years.
UQ Art Museum Director Dr Campbell Gray said philanthropy had played a vital role in the growth and evolution of the UQ Art Collection, which was established through a bequest from John Darnell.
“The collection is an invaluable resource with the artworks underpinning important discussions about contemporary issues, through exhibitions, public programs, and directly in teaching spaces,” Dr Gray said.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between patrons and artists, and the museums that display their work – when this relationship is strong, it can foster wonderful creativity and open up new and previously unimagined opportunities.”
Curator Samantha Littley said the exhibition celebrated the generosity of UQ Art Museum’s donors and their role in the cultural and philanthropic heritage of the University.
“As we developed this exhibition, we revisited our records and connected with donors to gain an insight into what motivated them, and discovered many fascinating stories that have enriched the records that we hold,” Ms Littley said.
Quotes sourced from archives and living donors will be displayed throughout the exhibition, offering personal insights that will add meaning to the visitor experience.
Artists include Daphne Mayo, Lloyd Rees, Jon Molvig, Norman Lindsay, Margaret Preston, Judith Wright, Sidney Nolan, Naata Nungurrayi, John Passmore, Noel McKenna, Madonna Staunton, Rusty Peters, Scott Redford, Robert Rooney, Mikala Dwyer and Linda Marrinon, among others.
Philanthropists and Collections opens on 11 March 2017 and will run until 4 June 2017.
Public program: 11am Thursday 23 March
Join Michael Rayner AM, Simon Wright, and Dr Georgina Walker as they discuss art and philanthropy with exhibition curator Samantha Littley. Download images for print and web here.
Media: Sonia Uranishi, sonia@soniauranishicommunication.com, +61 409 387 623; Sebastian Moody, s.moody@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 8761.
