FOR PRESS 9 MARCH 1977
ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE " GENESIS" EXIIIBITION AT THE A. N. U.
It is with much pleasure that I welcome you to this very fine
exhibition Genesis of a Gallery. The exhibition began its
Australian wide tour in Adelaide twelve months ago and has
visited Darwin, and all State capitals, other than Melbourne,
where it may be shown later.
It has been seen and enjoyed by many thousands of people and wari~ y
received by artists and art critics. It illustrates the
range and diversity of the national collection which will find
its home in the National Gallery.
Creating a National Gallery of Art which will take its place
amongst the great galleries of the world is an exciting : nd
challenging task. The decision of this Government to pursue with
enthusiasm this long-standing objective is a reflection of the
confidence of Australians in their artistic achicvements.
The exhibition before you is an important step towards fulfil; n ct
of the nation's desire to collect, preserve and exhibit the best
of our heritage and to expose it to study by the critical minds
of the present and future generations.
For success, the Gallery must of course have these objectives.
In the case of our own gallery, as you will see tonight,
we are aiming higher. The Gallery is building up a collection
which recognises the continuity of the European cultural tran: liio.
and in particular, its important influence on Australian art.
In addition, the collection includes cxamTples of othrc tr. iLL.~ i.:
as you will see in those items representing African, Meianesian.
Columbian-American, and Asian art.
The collection is an expression of our belief as a nation in
ourselves, and our creative spirit. It shown that . we are prep
tc shape our taste and have our curiosity aroused by s. ttinP. ihe
achievements of our artists alongside those of other nations
and peoples, old and new.
M.. ny o, yoP . il nerhans have had the 2xnc'ri ence in so. e n: ar
of the world, of visiting galleries which have becom::-mummMified
museums of . hich have existed largely, even primarily, s
temples of study for a select minority. Our Gallery is to have
a more lively future and it is being developed :. Lth a i: uch
broader vision.
We I k forward to the. day when our national collection will
have i. s own home, and we have every confidence that will be
a dii lnguished o\ ne. It will, as you know, be Canberra's
privilege to have this institution, just across the lake from
this national university, appropriately set alongside three
other noble institutions Parliament House, the National Library
and the High Court. But just as these other institutions
must, in order to retain their relevance to society understand
the needs of, and serve the whole Australian community, so
must the Gallery.
Art, like justice, should not only be done, but should be seen
to be done. It must be available to the people. Art cut off
from the larger society is isolated in an ivory tower, but when it
is made available to the people, it gives Australians something
to measure themselves against.
I am pleased to say that although Genesis is in the final stages
of its Australian tour, it is hoped that shortly Genesis Two
will be mounted. It is also hoped that exhibitions will
continue to be sent on tour each year.
I understand that special exhibitions will be made available to
regional and municipal galleries in order to demonstrate
a particular aspect of art such as etching or print making
and that it is proposed to lend works to State galleries and
institutions. As well, the Gallery Council has been
continuing the " art current" programme under which new works
from outside Australia are acquired for circulation to centres
in which there are art schools or university fine art departments.
The purpose of this programme is to give students and others an
opportunity to keep abreast of new ideas and methods being
developed overseas.
There are also plans to establish a school lending programme
under which small changing exhibitions or artefacts, arts, and
crafts will be circulated to schools. If art is to flourish,
it must attract the young to enjoy it.
In short, the national collection, of which you are sc. ing part
tonight, is to be an integrated and living part of our national
cultural and educational life. It should provide us with endless
enjoyment and enable us to take a significant step forward in the
appreciation of our art and that of the world around us.
Of course, to establish a national art collection, especially in
today's art market, requires a generous long term supply of funds.
The Government will, of necessity, be the primary patron and the
value of the public contribution is patent. But at the same time,
I believe there to be an important role for private patronage of
the arts. Private patronage has the virtue of fiexibility of
taste. It can support the experimental and avant-garde.
Competing with the public purse, it provides a safety valve against
the possibility of a dictation of taste, against the makini, of
political and personal rather than artistic judgements. I.
. I
I
* 1 3.
My hope would be that the education and experience provided by the
national collection would increase rather than diminish private
support for the arts. For seven years now, our collection
has been built up mainly by Mr James Mollison. Just two weeks
ago, I was pleased to announce his appointment for a term of
seven years as the first Director of the Australian National
Gallery. I would like to congratulate him tonight and say again
that I am confident that he will continue to bring imagination
and flair to the important task before him.
I am very pleased to declare the Genesis exhibition in
Canberra, open. 000oo00000