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Newcastle Region Art Gallery unveiled selections of Aboriginal art by emerging and established artists from the Austcorp Group Limited Art Collection last May.
The Newcastle selection of 14 items is part of the Austcorp collection which encompasses more than 150 works of art by a broad cross-section of Australia-based artists. It is normally displayed throughout the company’s offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as in many of their property developments. This is the first museum loan exhibition of the Austcorp Collection.
Acting Art Gallery Director Rodney Cones-Browne said, “The exhibition provides an important opportunity for viewers to see works of Aboriginal art not otherwise represented in the Newcastle Region Art Gallery collection.”
He said "Austcorp's Executive Chairman Trevor Chappell is the driving force behind this outstanding contemporary collection."
"Trevor’s passion for the arts and generosity of spirit is reflected in the loan of this exhibition to Newcastle. On behalf of the Gallery and the visitors to the show I thank Trevor and Austcorp for sharing these wonderful works. It marks the beginning of what we hope will be an ongoing relationship, enhanced by Austcorp's presence in Newcastle with the almost complete Hunter Health building at 670 Hunter Street.”
The exhibition focuses on works by Pintupi artists painting for Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd. On view are two early boards by Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi and Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula as well as a major painting by Pitjantjatjara artist Tommy Watson who was one of eight Indigenous artists commissioned to make site-specific works for the new Musée du Quai Branly, Paris in 2006. Over the years the Austcorp Group Limited Art Collection has been expanded beyond its early focus on Papunya to include works from the communities of East Kimberley, Irrunytju, Balgo and Fitzroy Crossing.The collection was inaugurated in 2003 by Executive Chairman Trevor Chappell with the collaboration of advisor Barbara Flynn who curated the current exhibition.
Newcastle Region Art Gallery
1 Laman Street, Newcastle
(02) 4974 5100
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