GREAT COLLECTIONS

 

The Botanic Gardens Trust, Australian Museum, Art Gallery of NSW, State Library of NSW, Powerhouse Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Historic Houses Trust of NSW and State Records NSW are all partners in a landmark showcase of the great collections of NSW which was officially opened by the Premier and Minister for the Arts, the Hon Mr Nathan Rees, at Campbelltown Arts Centre on Thursday 11 December 2008.

 

Organised and presented by Museums & Galleries NSW, GREAT COLLECTIONS offers an unprecedented look at the history of collecting in Australia in an exhibition which ‘converges’ material from diverse agencies like never before. From the first botanical specimens gathered by Sir Joseph Banks on Captain Cook’s voyage of 1770 (from the National Herbarium of NSW) to a 2006 parody of a celebration of Cook’s landing by Aboriginal artist, Daniel Boyd (from the nation’s only institution dedicated to contemporary works by living artists – the Museum of Contemporary Art), GREAT COLLECTIONS is a remarkable display of over 115 rare and significant art, objects, documents and curiosities from some of the country’s oldest, most unique and most important public collecting agencies – and a fascinating look at the business of public collecting in Australia.

 

GREAT COLLECTIONS is an initiative of M&G NSW. The organisation has a long history of touring existing shows –such as the popular Archibald Prize which it has managed for 9 years – but this is the first time in its history of nearly 10 years that such an ambitious and innovative exhibition has been developed for touring by M&G NSW.

 

MEDIA KIT

 

Exhibition Partners

Significant artwork and objects will be on loan from the following cultural institutions:

 

 

Launch

 

Tour Dates

 

GREAT COLLECTIONS on Google Maps

Click here to view the GREAT COLLECTIONS tour itinerary on Google Maps.

 

Funding Partners

 

Sponsors

 

Publication Sponsor

  • Gordon Darling Foundation

 

Media Partner

view slideshow on ABC local radio website

 

Exhibition Catalogue

The exhibition catalogue is a full colour, hard cover, cloth bound with slip case publication featuring:

 

Introductions by:

  • John McPhee, exhibition curator
  • Edmund Capon, Director Art Gallery of New South Wales
  • Frank Howarth, Director Australian Museum
  • Dr Tim Entwisle, Director Botanic Gardens Trust
  • Peter Watts, (former) Director Historic Houses Trust of NSW
  • Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Dr Dawn Casey, Director Powerhouse Museum
  • Regina A Sutton, New South Wales State Librarian and Chief Executive
  • Alan Ventress, Director State Records New South Wales

 

  • full colour images of the exhibition objects
  • full catalogue descriptions written by partner institution curators

 

Cost

$20 + $9.90 postage and handling

 

To Order

phone Mimi Leith on (02) 9339 9904 or email your details including credit card number to:

mimil@mgnsw.org.au

 

Education

GREAT COLLECTIONS supports broad curriculum goals with the potential to inspire students and assist develop a range of critical thinking skills and literacies. The exhibition is supported by in-depth teacher and student resources targeting a variery of syllabus areas.

 

For further information on GREAT COLLECTIONS please contact:

Elizabeth Smith

Manager Special Projects and Communications

+61 2 9339 9911

elizabethm@mgnsw.org.au

Daniel Boyd
We Call Them Pirates Out Here
2006
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
226×275 mm
Image Courtesy Museum of Contemporary Art

Daniel Boyd - We Call Them Pirates Out Here

British Government, London, England
Charter of Justice: letters patent constituting the Courts of Law
1787
engraving, pen and ink on parchment, paper, plaited cotton or silk cord
55×70 cm
Image courtesy State Records NSW

British Government, London, England - Charter of Justice: letters patent constituting the Courts of