Page 66-67 - Annual Review 2009

Reveal
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Reveal
67
Australian art to 1970
A completely new hang of the Gallery’s
Australian art holdings placed new acquisitions
in the elegant reconfigured spaces in the
Queensland Art Gallery. The display presented
Australian art from the time of European
exploration and occupation of the continent
to the 1970s.
George W Lambert
Self Portrait with Ambrose Patterson,
Amy Lambert and Hugh Ramsay 1901–03
George W Lambert occupies an important
place in the history of Australian art, and this
painting sits within a major group of works by
the Australian symbolists of the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries. Self Portrait
with Ambrose Patterson, Amy Lambert and
Hugh Ramsay makes a significant contribution
to these holdings, which includes works by
Sydney Long and Bertram Mackennal. This
work was purchased with funds from Philip
Bacon, AM, through the Queensland Art Gallery
Foundation.
Hunt and Roskell
Presentation vase 1864
The magnificent Presentation vase is the
most important example of Victorian silver
in the Queensland Art Gallery Collection. It
was purchased with funds raised through
the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation
30th Anniversary Appeal. The vase’s ornate
decoration is unlike anything ever produced in
the Australian colonies, though the cast pair
of kangaroos, an emu and a camel around its
base suggest that it was commissioned with
an Australian connection in mind. It is possible
that the vase was presented to Charles Joseph
Latrobe, a former Lieutenant Governor of the
Colony of Victoria.
Unknown Tasmanian Cabinetmaker
Sofa c.1830–40
This ‘double-ended sofa’ is an exceptional
example of the Neo-Grec style, at the time the
most advanced of English Regency styles. It is
among the finest examples of this style found in
Australian colonial furniture.
Selected acquisitions —
Australian art
Major new acquisitions have continued to
develop existing strengths in the three principal
portfolios that comprise the Australian art
collections at the Gallery. These stretch from
the earliest European presence in Australia
to the present day, and encompass works by
both Indigenous Australian and non-Indigenous
artists in all media.
Indigenous Australian art
As the key visual arts museum in this state, the
Queensland Art Gallery continues to develop
its vibrant holdings of works by contemporary
artists from Queensland.
Netta Loogatha, Sally Gabori, Ethel
Thomas, May Moodoonuthi, Paula Paul,
Dawn Naranatjil and Amy Loogatha
Makarrki – King Alfred’s Country 2008
One of the most exciting acquisitions this
year was the third and final large collaborative
painting produced by senior Kaiadilt women
painters from Bentinck Island in the Gulf of
Carpentaria. There will not be another like it
from this important generation of senior artists:
members of the painting group have since
passed away and others have slowed or ceased
painting. This work shows the country of King
Alfred, a relative of all of the painters, and the
last senior Kaiadilt law man. He was also an
important leader when, during the late 1940s,
the entire Kaiadilt population was moved from
Bentinck and Sweers Islands to Mornington
Island. This work was purchased with funds
from Professor John Hay, AC, and Mrs Barbara
Hay through the Queensland Art Gallery
Foundation.
Above right: Birmuyingathi Maali Netta Loogatha, Mirdidingkingathi Jurwunda
Sally Gabori, Warthadangathi Bijarrba Ethel Thomas, Thunduyingathi Bijarrb
May Moodoonuthi, Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb Paula Paul, Wirrngajingathi Bijarrb
Dawn Naranatjil, Rayarriwarrtharrbayingat Amy Loogatha / Makarrki - King
Alfred’s Country 2008 / Synthetic polymer paint on canvas / Purchased 2009
with funds from Professor John Hay, AC, and Mrs Barbara Hay through the
Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © The artists. Courtesy: Mornington
Island Arts and Crafts.
Visitors view works in the new display of the Australian collection, including
George W Lambert’s Self Portrait with Ambrose Patterson, Amy Lambert and
Hugh Ramsay c.1901–03 / Oil on canvas / Purchased 2009 with funds from
Philip Bacon, AM, through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation