Gavin Hughes and myself have assembled the collection over a period of nearly fifty years. The first art works were acquired in the early 1960s, though the earliest painting held in the collection is from 1959.
A passion for art, the sense of providing support for Australian art and artists and the friendships that have been formed in the process are integral to the way the collection has come together. While art was never seen by Gavin nor I as being only about a limited artistic style - we both love really great art of all styles – we however tried to keep within some limits. A collection is better if there is a focus.
That focus comes under a general heading of “abstraction”. Abstraction as in fitting into / influenced by the following non-definitive list of art movements: colour field, abstract expressionism, optical and minimalism. In the main, but with some dramatic exceptions, the works are based around traditional materials and techniques such as painting in acrylic or oil, sculpture in metal, stone or timber as well as printing, drawing and ceramics. Within the collection there are a number of thematic strands including a strong representation of art made by Australian women artists; a theme that was explored in Personal Journeys : 40 years of Australian Women’s Abstract Art exhibited at the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre (SCAC) in 2009. Another theme within the collection is a leaning toward compositions in “black and white”, particularly paintings where black is important in making the art “work”. This was the theme for the 2010 exhibition Black is the Colour... also at SCAC. Then there is a small component of artworks made from found objects. This was explored in the 2011 SCAC exhibition Making Do: art from found objects.
“Less is More: more or less” was the theme of the 2012 exhibition, and a major survey exhibition of the work of artist Margaret Dredge, whose 1964 painting started the Collection, will open in 2013 at SCAC. In future exhibitions it is planned to explore the work of individual artists.
One of the great benefits of building a collection is meeting and getting to know the artists, and where possible, tracking their development though works purchased from their early careers and over extended periods of time. This is one of the attractions of building a collection, seeing each individual artist’s trajectory. In addition there is a sense of providing support to burgeoning artists who have not yet received the full recognition that their art deserves, through the acquisition of their works.
There is also the pleasure of sharing the collection and our South Coast home and garden with artists met though collecting and attending openings, events and happenings. Over the years many people have visited, whether to view the collection, for a meal or to stay overnight or a few days. They may be also delivering an art work or just on holidays, a number are inspired by the bush and garden and have produced art works.
On 27 June 2008 Gavin and I signed a deed of agreement with the Shoalhaven City Council accepting our bequest of the Collection to the Shoalhaven. My lifelong partner Gavin, died on 24 October 2008.
Since the agreement was signed I have been curator of a number of exhibitions from the Collection all of which have been held at the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre
Max Dingle November 2012
A passion for art, the sense of providing support for Australian art and artists and the friendships that have been formed in the process are integral to the way the collection has come together. While art was never seen by Gavin nor I as being only about a limited artistic style - we both love really great art of all styles – we however tried to keep within some limits. A collection is better if there is a focus.
That focus comes under a general heading of “abstraction”. Abstraction as in fitting into / influenced by the following non-definitive list of art movements: colour field, abstract expressionism, optical and minimalism. In the main, but with some dramatic exceptions, the works are based around traditional materials and techniques such as painting in acrylic or oil, sculpture in metal, stone or timber as well as printing, drawing and ceramics. Within the collection there are a number of thematic strands including a strong representation of art made by Australian women artists; a theme that was explored in Personal Journeys : 40 years of Australian Women’s Abstract Art exhibited at the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre (SCAC) in 2009. Another theme within the collection is a leaning toward compositions in “black and white”, particularly paintings where black is important in making the art “work”. This was the theme for the 2010 exhibition Black is the Colour... also at SCAC. Then there is a small component of artworks made from found objects. This was explored in the 2011 SCAC exhibition Making Do: art from found objects.
“Less is More: more or less” was the theme of the 2012 exhibition, and a major survey exhibition of the work of artist Margaret Dredge, whose 1964 painting started the Collection, will open in 2013 at SCAC. In future exhibitions it is planned to explore the work of individual artists.
One of the great benefits of building a collection is meeting and getting to know the artists, and where possible, tracking their development though works purchased from their early careers and over extended periods of time. This is one of the attractions of building a collection, seeing each individual artist’s trajectory. In addition there is a sense of providing support to burgeoning artists who have not yet received the full recognition that their art deserves, through the acquisition of their works.
There is also the pleasure of sharing the collection and our South Coast home and garden with artists met though collecting and attending openings, events and happenings. Over the years many people have visited, whether to view the collection, for a meal or to stay overnight or a few days. They may be also delivering an art work or just on holidays, a number are inspired by the bush and garden and have produced art works.
On 27 June 2008 Gavin and I signed a deed of agreement with the Shoalhaven City Council accepting our bequest of the Collection to the Shoalhaven. My lifelong partner Gavin, died on 24 October 2008.
Since the agreement was signed I have been curator of a number of exhibitions from the Collection all of which have been held at the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre
Max Dingle November 2012