F Oundation Annual Report 20 08–09
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Foundation Annual Report Foundation 2008–09 Foundation Annual Report 2008–09 Foundation Annual Report Foundation 2008–09 Foundation Annual Report 2008–09 Foundation Annual Report 2008–09 1 2 National Gallery of Australia Foundation Annual Report 2008–09 Momoyama period (1573–1615), Japan hunting party travelling to a shrine at Oharano, west Miyuki: the imperial outing and hunt 1600–10 of Kyoto. Mounted guards, costumed courtiers and pair of six-fold screens (rokkyoku byobu), colour attendants bearing large parasols accompany the and gold on paper emperor’s carriage. A crowd has gathered to enjoy 168 x 366 cm (each) the colourful spectacle. The right screen shows purchased with the generous assistance of Andrew and the chaos of the hunt, with falconers, men on Hiroko Gwinnett horseback and courtiers in ornate dress pursuing 183725 deer, pheasants and wild boar. Inspired by an episode of the classic Japanese While the narrative describes an earlier time, this novel Tale of Genji, this spectacular pair of six-fold scene is set in the 17th century, with all characters screens was created in the early 17th century by an dressed in exquisite Momoyama-period dress artist of the celebrated Kano School. Tale of Genji and with blossoming cherry trees that reflect the relates the events and intrigues of Heian-period growing popularity of cherry blossom viewing. (794–1185) aristocrats, and it remained a popular Purchased with the assistance of Andrew and theme in the art of the later Momoyama period Hiroko Gwinnett, generous supporters of Japanese (1573–1615). art in Australia, Miyuki: the imperial outing and hunt enhances the Gallery’s small but fine collection of The screens capture the pageantry of Japanese Japanese screens. court life. The magnificent procession is a royal 4 National Gallery of Australia Contents Office bearers 7 Objectives 7 Chairman’s report 9 Contributors 12 Membership 29 Financial statements 45 Foundation Annual Report 2008–09 5 Choi Jeong Hwa their first appearance in the Korean Pavilion at Clear lotus 2009 the 51st Venice Biennale in 2005. The motorised urethane vinyl, motor Clear Lotus magnificently inflates and opens, 230 x 400 x 400 cm (approx) then deflates limply before the cycle begins again. The Gene and Brian Sherman Contemporary Asian Art While much of his work can be interpreted as Fund 2009 communicating concerns about waste, consumer 188797 society, globalisation and other contemporary issues, the artist consciously avoids such An exciting new acquisition of contemporary Asian art is Clear lotus, a huge clear vinyl inflatable discussion. Rather, Choi celebrates the peculiar flower by renowned Korean artist Choi Jeong Hwa. beauty of synthetic materials and everyday objects Born in 1961, the artist began his career as a painter with flippant lightness and deliberate ambiguity but, by the early 1990s, had shifted from painting of purpose. to installation, video and sculpture, particularly the Through the Gene and Brian Sherman inflatables for which he is now famous. Contemporary Asian Art Fund, long-serving Many of Choi Jeong Hwa’s more recent works Foundation member Dr Gene Sherman has are gigantic floral-form inflatables, including directed her generous financial contributions lotus blossoms in black, white, acid yellow and towards building a national collection of significant transparent plastic. His blow-up lotuses have works by Asian contemporary artists with strong attracted considerable international attention since international reputations. 6 National Gallery of Australia Office bearers Objectives Patron The National Gallery of Australia Foundation, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, Governor- a company limited by guarantee under the General of the Commonwealth of Australia Corporations Law, is a non-profit organisation established to support the National Gallery of Board Members Australia. Mr Charles P Curran AC (Chairman appointed 26/4/06) The principal objectives of the Foundation are to: Mr Philip Bacon AM (appointed 26/10/00) maintain, improve and develop the national Ms Sandra Benjamin (appointed 27/4/06) collection of works of art owned by the National Mr Anthony R Berg AM (appointed 16/3/99; Gallery of Australia Chairman 16/3/99 to 26/4/06) Mr Antony Breuer (appointed 13/10/00; promote, maintain, improve and develop the resigned 21/10/08) National Gallery of Australia Mrs Robyn Burke (appointed 29/08/06) support the development and conduct by Mr Terrence A Campbell AO (appointed 28/2/07) the National Gallery of Australia of travelling Mr David Coe (appointed 13/10/00) exhibitions of works of art Mrs Ashley Dawson-Damer (appointed 5/5/04) raise money to achieve these objectives. Dr Peter Farrell AM (appointed 13/10/00) Ms Linda Gregoriou (appointed 24/5/03) Mr Andrew Gwinnett (appointed 12/3/03) Mrs Catherine Harris AO PSM (appointed 16/8/01) Mr John Hindmarsh (appointed 20/9/04) Mr Rupert Myer AM (appointed 4/3/04) Ms Elizabeth Nosworthy AO (appointed 25/10/06; resigned 10/2/09) Mr Cameron O’Reilly (appointed 10/3/03; resigned 21/10/08) Mrs Jennifer Prescott (appointed 13/10/00) Dr Ron Radford AM (appointed 17/1/05) Mr John Schaeffer AO (appointed 13/10/00) Mrs Penelope Seidler AM (appointed 13/10/00) Dr Gene Sherman (appointed 13/10/00; resigned 25/2/09) Mr Kerry Stokes AC (appointed 29/6/95) Mr John Story (appointed 28/2/07) Secretary Mr Peter Lundy RFD Executive Director Ms Annalisa Millar Executive Officer Mr Alan Froud Foundation Annual Report 2008–09 7 Chola dynasty (9th–13th centuries), Tamil Nadu, India a large rat and Durga on her lion. Nandi is one of The sacred bull Nandi, vehicle of Shiva the most adored of the vehicles. The sacred bull is 11th–12th century not only the devoted companion and guardian of granite the great Shiva but, as his name—giver of delight 80.5 x 110.5 x 55 cm and joy—suggests, an object of worship in his purchased with the generous assistance of own right. Roslyn Packer, 2009 The south Indian sculpture in the form of a 189295 humped Brahman bull is very appealing. Depicted A popular new acquisition in the national collection in ceremonial ornamental finery, with legs tucked of Indian art is the charming 11th–12th century under and tail wrapped around its smooth round sculpture of Nandi, the sacred bull. The large body, Nandi gazes serenely back at the viewer with stone image of the mount or vehicle of Shiva, the soft melancholy eyes. Hindu god of destruction and creation, is a superb example of the sculpture of India’s Chola dynasty This acquisition was made possible through the (9th–13th centuries). generous support of long-standing National Gallery The major Hindu deities each have their own of Australia Council member Roslyn Packer AO. specific vehicles (vahana) on which to ride, We are very grateful for her continued support in including Vishnu on the Garuda bird, Ganesha on building Australia’s finest collection of Asian art. 8 National Gallery of Australia Chairman’s report I am pleased to present the National Gallery of The Foundation is very grateful to Mr James Erskine Australia Foundation’s Annual Report 2008–09, and Mrs Jacqui Erskine for their most generous which records a successful year for the Foundation donation of John Olsen’s The Murray running into with $1.33 million of donations. In addition to cash Lake Alexandrina 1975, Antony Gormley’s Angel of donations, the Foundation assisted the Gallery in the North (life-size maquette) 1996, the work Body securing donations of works of art in excess of $8 marks 2001 by Midpul (Prince of Wales) and Paddy million; this figure is reflected in the National Gallery Bedford’s Middle Brand 2001. of Australia Annual Report. In addition, the Gallery received very generous gifts This year, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of of works of art from Mr Gordon Brown, Mr John the Foundation. Over the last 20 years, through Gollings, Ms Marion Kaselle, Mr Kevin Lincoln, a number of campaigns and appeals and many Mrs Jennifer Manton, Mr Rupert Myer AM and Mrs individual acts of benefaction, the Foundation has Annabel Myer, Dr Margaret Olley AC, The Australian successfully raised funds to assist with Gallery Embassy in Washington, Professor Bernard Smith programs and acquiring works of art for the and Mr Imants Tillers. national collection. Thanks are also expressed to the Yulgilbar Foundation for the generous support provided Major donations and gifts for 2009 through the National Gallery of Australia’s During the year, through the generosity of a number Foundation to assist with the children’s activity of donors, the national art collection has been room located in the major summer exhibition developed and further strengthened. I acknowledge for 2009, Masterpieces from Paris: Van Gogh, the assistance of the following major benefactors. Gauguin, Cézanne and beyond, which will showcase Post-Impressionist treasures from Mrs Roslyn Packer AO generously donated the Musée d’Orsay. towards the acquisition of The sacred bull Nandi, vehicle of Shiva Chola dynasty (9th–13th centuries), 25th Anniversary Gift Program which is an important acquisition for the collection of Asian art and is on display in the Indian gallery. A major recent achievement was the role that the Mr Andrew Gwinnett and Mrs Hiroko Gwinnett, Foundation played in assisting the Gallery to exceed the goal of the 25th Anniversary Gift Program to who have been most generous donors to the secure more than $25 million in gifts in the form of development of Japanese art in the national art works of art, donations, bequests and corporate collection, have also donated this year to acquire sponsorship. In December 2008, the program was a pair of Japanese screens, Miyuki: the imperial completed with over $26 million secured.