Looking at Others & Looking Within - Portraits & Self Portraits from Murdoch University Art Collection

Looking at Others & looking Within – Portraits & self Portraits from the Murdoch University Art Collection Murdoch University Art Gallery Level 4, North Wing Library Building, South Street Campus 2 March to 30 April 2009

Studied Expression 1997, oil on canvas by Su Baker. Purchased by the Art Board 1998 - Murdoch University Art Collection © the artist

Murdoch University has collected fine Australian contemporary art for over 30 years. Portraiture is a feature within the Art Collection that originated during the University’s foundation period in the mid-1970s. In fact, the first artwork to enter the Art Collection was a donated portrait by Western Australian artist, Lorna Higgins in 1974.

Since this inception, the theme of portraiture has endured and now the Art Collection has a diverse compilation of over 40 portraits created in range of mediums. The most recent portrait to be acquired by the University is the inaugural commissioned painting of Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Bolton AO, Cit WA by West Australian painter, Mary Moore in 2008

Portraiture is one of the oldest themes in the history of Western painting. It traditionally served the specific purpose to record for posterity the visual appearance of important individuals in a society. These paintings documented the styles and fashions of the time, each is specific to their own era. Today people who wish to be remembered as dignified members of society may well choose to have their portrait painted in a formal fashion.

Elements of each traditional styled portrait strive to enlighten the viewer about the individual. The tilt of a head, the sitter’s posture and eyes can all communicate information about the sitter. Sometimes motifs indicating their occupation, social standing, hobbies, interests and significant belonging are represented in the painting to convey further information about the subject. Additional background information can be allegoric or symbolic, weaving a narrative for the viewer to decipher.

Recent times have challenged the traditional role and definition of how portraiture is viewed. While a realistic likeness still has the power to delight viewers, the emergence of new art forms and the advent of photography have rendered traditional portraiture into what some might term an anachronistic pursuit.

Nonetheless portraits are still commissioned and celebrated for many reasons. Perhaps this is due to the manner in which the painted portrait can involve the study of humanity in a very unique way, by inquiring into the subject’s mind whilst recording the external appearance.

Portraiture within Australia is widely practiced and appreciated. The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra was established for this sole reason and is dedicated to this tradition, whilst painting contests such as the Archibald and Portia Geach portrait prizes raise awareness and ignite debate by a broad-cross section of society.

Looking at Others & Looking Within highlights contemporary portraiture and artist’s self portraits from the Murdoch University Art Collection and works generously loaned from the private collection of Pam and Tony Jones. The range of artworks presented in this exhibition allows viewers to discover the exciting variations of portraiture while showcasing the diverse range of styles and techniques that comprise the collection.