Philanthropists and Collections
Explore the giving impulse that helps art flourish in this new exhibition.
Overview
Always wanted to do something creative? Know what it's like to struggle to pursue your passion — and know that, if you had a dollar for every time that someone encouraged you to get a "real job", you'd be rather rich? A life of artistry isn't always lucrative, and that can shape both the pieces crafted and the exhibitions curated. As UQ Art Museum's latest showcase demonstrates, each can benefit from a giving impulse.
At Philanthropists and Collections from March 11 to June 4, the age-old arrangement of patronage in the arts is placed in the spotlight. In fact, without it, the show wouldn't happen. As the exhibition offers a selective survey of works generously donated to the gallery, think of it as a statement of gratitude as well as a starting point for further conversation.
Indeed, whether you're happy perusing the pieces on display or eager to engage on a broader chat on the subject, both are on the agenda. All art should make you think, but this should make you ponder not just what's in front of you, but how it got there.
Image: Margaret Preston (1875–1963) Native flowers c.1935 hand-coloured woodcut on paper image 43.0 x 38.0 cm; sheet 54.0 x 46.4 cm Collection of The University of Queensland. Gift of Miss Mary Corkery, 1945. © Margaret Preston/Licensed by Viscopy, 2017. Photo: Carl Warner
