artlines iss.4

25 A TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT In October, it was a privilege to announce the largest philanthropic gift in QAGOMA’s history. Gallerist and fashion boutique owner Win Schubert AO (1937–2017) was one of the Gallery’s greatest supporters, as well as a benefactor to many non-profit organisations in the broader Queensland community. Her departing gift to us, an awe-inspiring $35 million bequest, is one of the most generous donations ever made to an Australian state gallery. Mrs Schubert’s bequest has established The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, the purpose of which is to develop and maintain a permanent collection of artworks created in or after 1880 for the advancement of art education in Australia. Held by QAGOMA, works in this collection will be featured in the Gallery’s forward exhibition program. The Trust will be transformative in supporting and extending the state collection and will ensure that future generations have access to a rich and diverse range of major Australian and international artworks. Motivated by the joy she found in sharing art with others, Mrs Schubert’s patronage of QAGOMA was carefully considered and forward-thinking. Over two decades, she enabled the acquisition of more than 100 important works for the Collection, including Cai Guo-Qiang’s allegorical assembly of animals, Heritage 2013; Yayoi Kusama’s large- scale sculptural work Flowers that bloom at midnight 2011; Kohei Nawa’s PixCell-Double Deer#4 2010; and Nick Cave’s HEARD 2012. While these works significantly enhanced the Gallery’s contemporary Asian and international holdings, the majority of Mrs Schubert’s benefaction focused on art from Australia, and specifically, Queensland. Thanks to her support through The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Foundation for the Arts, QAGOMA is home to Australia’s most extensive holdings of work by Ian Fairweather. The Gallery acknowledged Mrs Schubert’s remarkable benefaction in 2012 with the naming of galleries 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the Queensland Art Gallery as the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Galleries, and again in 2015, with the QAGOMA Medal. The Schubert Circle Mrs Schubert will also be remembered through the eponymous Schubert Circle — a program launched this year to recognise donors who have included a gift to QAGOMA in their Will. Chris Saines CNZM Director, QAGOMA For more information about the Schubert Circle or including a gift to the Gallery in your Will, please contact the Bequest and Communications Officer on (07) 3840 7287 or at foundation@qagoma.qld.gov.au. All inquiries are treated confidentially. Below A view of Nick Cave’s HEARD 2012, installed for ‘Sugar Spin: you, me, art and everything’, GOMA, 2016–17 / Purchased 2016 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Gallery of Modern Art with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the QAGOMA Foundation / Photograph: Natasha Harth Opposite Kohei Nawa's PixCell-Double Deer#4 2010, installed for GOMA Turns 10, 2016 / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the QAG Foundation / Photograph: Joe Ruckli A TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT THE BEQUEST OF WIN SCHUBERT AO Win Schubert AO’s contribution to QAGOMA during her lifetime was exceptional, but her final and most meaningful gift is truly transformative. QAGOMA Director Chris Saines celebrates her remarkable bequest.