History of the Art Collection

The Murdoch University Art Collection was established in 1974 with the first donations of art works from Mrs Rix Weaver, Ms Peggy Perrins Shaw and Surveyor-General John Morgan.

In this year, the University’s Foundation Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Griew, was responsible for the University’s first purchase of a pen and wash drawing of Sir Walter Murdoch by Louis Kahan.

 
Louis KAHAN
born 1905, Melbourne, Australia I died 2002, Melbourne, Australia
 
Sir Walter Murdoch
1959 | pen and ink wash on paper | accession number 3
purchased by the Vice Chancellor 1974 - Murdoch University Art Collection
© Louis Kahan. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia 2007
 

The following year Dr Harold Schenberg donated eleven artworks to the collection. During this time the University Senate established an Art Acquisitions Committee to be responsible for developing and building the art collection. Professor Geoffrey Bolton initially chaired this committee. Early committee members played a significant role in laying the foundations of today’s collection. These members included Doctor J.R.H Watson, Professor John Frodsham, Mrs Barbara O’Connor, Professor Ray Wales and Professor Michael O’Toole.

The University Library is central to the collection, both as a location for displaying artworks and through the personal interest of Murdoch University’s Foundation Librarian, Mr George Buick, and his successor, Mr Nada Nadanasabapathy. Both served as members of the Art Acquisitions Committee and provided valuable administrative support to the collection through library staff in the early years.

During the late 1970s and 1980s the collection was enhanced by the donation and purchase of artworks by distinguished artists including Lloyd Rees, Jacob Epstein, Charles Blackman, Marc Chagall, Robert Juniper, Bob Brighton and Sydney Nolan.

 
Lloyd REES
born 1895, Brisbane, Queensland | died 1988, Hobart, Tasmania
 
Orchard Homestead
1974 | oil on canvas | accession number 30
purchased by the Art Acquisitions Committee 1975 - Murdoch University Art Collection
© Lloyd Rees. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia 2007
 

In the early 1990s committee members Ms June Moorhouse, Professor Ray Wales and Professor Michael O’Toole were instrumental in establishing an overall art collection policy and recognising the need for professional administration to manage the needs of a growing collection. In 1995 Ms Angie Beck was appointed as Murdoch University’s first official Art Curator on a part-time basis.

In 1997 the University formalised governance of the collection by replacing the Art Acquisitions Committee with an Art Board, which now has a broader membership with external representation. The Art Board is responsible for the management and maintenance of the art collection and reports to and advises the Vice Chancellor on matters concerning the collection.

In 1998 a substantial collection of Indigenous art was donated by Mr John Roberts along with donations by Dr Michael McCall, Mrs Patricia Pow, Tony and Pam Jones, The Watson Family, Ian and Maria Duthie, and Dr Ian Bernadt.

In 1999 the Art Board implemented an acquisitions policy, which would bring Murdoch University’s Art Collection policy in line with guidelines set by the Council of Australian University Museum and Collections (CAUMAC). Guided by this policy and professional advice of the curator, the Art Board aims to develop and maintain a distinctive art collection of excellence.

In late 2002 Angie Beck retired from the position as Art Curator. Assistant Art Curator Gillian Phillips took over the management of the collection from 2003 to mid 2004 before Mark Stewart was appointed as the University’s first full-time Art Curator in late 2004.

 
John COBURN
born 1966, Ingham, Queensland | died 2006, Lindfield, New South Wales
 
The Light Within
1986 | acrylic on canvas | accession number 197
kindly donated by the Christensen Fund 1996 Murdoch University Art Collection
© John Coburn. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia 2007
 

The collection currently consists of artwork by internationally recognised artists, contemporary Western Australian and Australian artists, and traditional and contemporary Indigenous artists. The collection specialises in, but is not limited to works on paper, editioned prints and works in other reproductive media such as photography and digital media. The curatorial department also manages an extensive poster collection initiated by Senior Librarian Grant Stone.

Artworks are regularly displayed in public spaces within the University’s Murdoch, Rockingham and Peel campuses. The library building at Murdoch University’s South Street campus has designated areas where curated exhibitions of the collection’s artworks are held. In doing this, the University provides students, staff and the broader community teaching and learning links through the art collection.

In accordance with the art collection policy, Murdoch University continues to build its artwork acquisitions through purchases alongside recent donations and gifts from AMP, Dr Ian Bernadt, Dr Ben Korman, Janet Holmes a Court, Diana Warnock, Chris and Mary Hill, Jennifer Dadich, Brian McKay, Leith Jansen, Jenny Mills, The Estate of Howard Taylor, Dr C.T Tan, Brigitte Braun, Eveline Kotai, Judy Wheeler, David Forrest, Julian Goddard and Jeanette Sumerling, Bob Brighton, Michael Shrapnel, Ray van Kempen, John Stringer, Dean Home and the National Gallery of Australia.