Revealed: Hidden Gems from the UNE Art Collection will feature some of the lesser known art from the UNE Art Collection - a diverse and rich body of artworks representing iconic figures across the history of art in Australia as well as contemporary regional and national artists.
UNE Archives and Collections Advisor, Julie McCarthy said the exhibition is part of a partnership program with NERAM to promote creative practice within the New England region.
“The Hidden Gems collection will help to highlight the value of significant collections to regional communities but also promote the importance of art education across all communities,” Julie said.
“We have tried to select items that have a story behind them, or that show the diversity of the Art Collection.”
“While a significant amount of the collection is on display at different locations around the University campus, for preservation reasons, a core group of works is held in the Art Collection Store in the UNE Library.
“These artworks are not suitable for long-term display around campus, however, they are works of value and significance in artistic, creative and historical terms - these are our ‘hidden’ or ‘unseen’ gems. We wanted to bring some back out into the light for public enjoyment while being mindful of protecting artistic heritage.”
UNE was fortunate to have the professional expertise of NERAM registrar, Jennifer Taylor, who coordinated the exhibition. Visitors can expect to see a diverse and extraordinary group of paintings by artists whose wealth of creative practice and inspirations were drawn from very personal responses to the societies and environments in which they lived and travelled.
The artworks in this exhibition date from 1813 to the present day.
Revealed: Hidden Gems from the UNE Art Collection will open at NERAM on Friday, 12 July and remain on display until 1 September.
Image: Untitled (Dressmaker’s Shop) by William Dobell
(c.1930)
Oil on canvas
Bequest of Dr Raymond Northfield Beazley 1962
UNE Art Collection
