Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 1998-99

IN 1 1 Queensland Art Gallery 'e Queensland Art Gallery In Focus. The latter series is produced to accompany both in-house and regional-Queensland travelling exhibitions. Just under $1 million was spent on the Collection during 1998-99 in purchasing 130 works of art. Approximately two-thirds of the acquisition funds were spent on Australian art. The Government's special Centenary Acquisition Fund was used for Ian Fairweather's highly regarded Painting III 1960; four works by prominent Queensland artist Robert MacPherson; the second instalment for the six Conrad Martens watercolours; a Brisbane scene by Conrad Martens; and five photographs by the German artists Hula and Bernd Becher. Other important purchases included two paintings by Emily Kame Kngwarreye (one a three-panelled work) and a striking early painting by the Indian artist Bhupen Khakhar. For the first time, a discrete acquisition fund was set aside for the purchase of Pacific art. The Collection again benefited greatly from generous donations. The most extraordinary of these was the $2 million gift from the Myer Foundation and the Myer family to further develop the Gallery's Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art, The first two masterworks purchased with these funds were The elements 1989 by Korean artist Nam June Paik and Woman with lotus flower 1998 by the Indian sculptor Ravinder Reddy. A painting by the highly influential Japan-based Korean artist Lee U-fan, With winds 1990, was also purchased with the assistance of Myer family funds. The gift is the largest cash donation ever received by the Gallery and was recognised by the naming of two dedicated spaces as the Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Galleries. Funds donated by James C. Sourris enabled the acquisition of a group of nineteen video art works, helping to develop this new part of the State Collection. During 1998-99, a total of $1 326 502 was generated through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation, including cash donations, sponsorships, gifts of art works, government subsidy received and interest earned on investments. Numerous corporate sponsorships were received during the year, as well as major donations from the private sector, and the Gallery gratefully acknowledges this important support. An important development within the Gallery was the creation of the Web and Multimedia Services unit, which aims to extend public access to the Gallery via this new medium. During the year, the Gallery was awarded a grant by Arts Queensland to enhance online access to the collection of Queensland art, as well as the collections of a number of regional partners. Throughout the year, the Gallery worked with a range of partners to diversify the Gallery's reach and audience. Events were held in association with a wide range of activities including Queensland Day, The Brisbane Writer's Festival, Out of the Box Festival and Artist's Day, and with organisations including the Southbank Precinct and the Brisbane City Heart Business Association The Santos Open Day at the Gallery was held on 20 June and celebrated the Gallery's 104th birthday. A range of behind-the-scenes insights, educational activities and entertainment for visitors was provided. Such events are designed to provide learning, fun and entertainment for the entire community, to consolidate existing relationships and to attract new visitors. The Gallery's commercial activities also continued to be developed with the appointment of a new caterer - Southbank Catering; the ongoing development of merchandising activities; and the marketing of the Gallery as a corporate functions venue. Wayne Goss