Page 57 - Tropic Magazine Issue 29

TROPIC • ARTS

Enduring legacy

GALLERY ART
Alongside hosting the Archibald
Prize national tour, Cairns
Art Gallery is also ensuring
our region’s cultural heritage
continues to be preserved.
Words: Annabel Bowles
Collaboration is at the core of art. The
relationships between artist, subject and
environment, as well as the audience’s
place in those contexts, informs how one 1.
interacts with the work. And in a small to create new works for its annual
city like Cairns, it’s no surprise that the exhibition program and relies upon the
Cairns Art Gallery, our major cultural Foundations’ fundraising efforts to be
centre for art, is as much tied to its able to purchase these important works
artists as it is the people who engage for its collection.
deeply with it. This year’s fundraising campaign is
Established in 2000, just five years after focused on acquiring works from
the Gallery’s inception, the Cairns Art RITUAL The Past in the Present, an
Gallery Foundation plays an integral role exhibition the Gallery is presenting in
in that collaboration. The Foundation partnership with the Cairns Indigenous 2.
is made up of individuals who Art Fair. Artists including Simone Arnol, Torres Strait Islander art works that are
demonstrate a deep passion for and Janet Fieldhouse, Heather Koowotha, unique and constantly in transition,” Ms
commitment to raising funds to assist Grace Lillian Lee, Naomi Hobson, Joel Jaunzems said. “These works are part of
the Gallery to acquire works for its Sam and Brian Robinson have been our history and belong in the Gallery’s
permanent collection. asked to create works that explore the collection. However, without a concerted
Through dedicated fundraising efforts, relationships between contemporary fundraising effort, the opportunity to
the Gallery has been able to acquire a Indigenous art, practice and secure these works for the collection will
collection of more than 900 works by traditional rituals. be lost forever.”
artists living and working in the region. Gallery Manager Kelly Jaunzems told The Gallery recently held its annual
Their artistic practices respond directly Tropic that being able to purchase works Foundation Gala Dinner, which
to our region’s distinct cultures, and their from this exhibition will help ensure welcomed 180 guests and guest speaker,
works record, celebrate, question and the Gallery’s Indigenous collection artist and social commentator Ben Quilty.
comment on the changing nature of our continues to be an important and The evening launched the Annual Giving
very special place in the world. enduring legacy for future generations. Campaign and was a wonderful start to
The Gallery also commissions artists “The exhibition includes Aboriginal and achieving this year’s target of $50,000
for the acquisition of new works for the
permanent collection.
In good hands RITUAL The Past in the Present will be on
display at the Gallery from 15 May to
Rosemary Goodsall has been a volunteer, 22 August.
Founding Patron, Foundation Member and
generous benefactor since the Gallery’s inception.
“All institutions like Cairns Art Gallery need a MORE: cairnsartgallery.com.au
fully functional fundraising arm to help expand their collection –
under the guidance of the Gallery Director, of course. The Gallery is 1. Danie Mellor
the most important regional outlet for an enormous number of artist Bala bandagaa (a procession of history), 2018
wax pastel, crayon, coloured pencil, wash with
practitioners in Far Northern Queensland and the Torres Strait. The oil pigment, watercolour and pencil with glitter
and Swarovski crystals on paper
diversity and quality of the work produced and added to the collection Cairns Art Gallery Collection. Donated through
the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts
is mind boggling and exciting. Looking at art is an unconscious Program by Danie Mellor, 2018
learning process heightened by the scope of the works being viewed.” 2. James Morrison
Goodenough Bay 1959, 2016
oil on linen
Purchased Cairns Art Gallery Foundation, 2017
57 • tropicnow.com.au