Vew from the chair: Speeches of Richard WL Austin

2 The Queensland Art Gallery had undertaken services to regional Queensland galleries for a number of years, but the period 1987-95 saw the development of a new regional services policy and a large number of exhibitions travelled the State. Speech 2 I The Queensland Art Gallery has presented three major exhibitions from the Idemitsu . Collection: 'Japan: Masterpieces from the Idemitsu Collection', 1982; 'Sengai, The Zen Master: Paintings from the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo', 1985; 'The Ceramic Traditions of Japan: Masterworks from the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo', 1988. 2 W.B. Honey. The Ceramic Art ofChina and Other Countries ofthe Far East, Faber & Faber, London, 1945, p.178. 3 The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation was established in 1979 to assist the Trustees of the Queensland Art Gallery to maintain, improve and develop the State Collection of works of art and the facilities and operations of the Gallery. Sir George Fisher was the first President (followed by Sir Bruce Watson) and Sir David Longland was the first Executive Director. From the Foundation's inception until his death in 1988, Sir David, together with Sir George and Sir Bruce, played an extraordinary role in the Foundation's success. By 30 June 1987 the Foundation had raised approximately $3.5 million for the Queensland Art Gallery. See also Chapter 4 for speeches on the Foundation and information on its history. Speech 3 Mr Homma was then the Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama and had worked on both exchange exhibitions. 2 The Exhibitions Development Fund was to play a prime role in bringing major exhibitions to Queensland. The full list of companies by 1990-91 was: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd; The Nikko Securities Co., Ltd; The Meiji Mutual Life Insurance Company; Nomura Australia Limited; Japan Travel Bureau (Aust) Pty Ltd; Hitachi Australia Pty Ltd. Speech-4 I Idemitsu contributed $150 000 as a result of this visit. Speech 5 I The Ackroyd Gift consisted of approximately 200 items ofJapanese art 2 A list ofthese exhibitions is available from the Gallery Library. Speech 6 I In December 1989 the Labor Government ofWayne Goss was elected in Queensland. 2 This exhibition was organised by the Queensland Art Gallery with the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris (see Chapter 3 (111), Speech I0). Speech 7 I Mr Goss became Premier in December 1989, the Labor Party replacing the National Party in Government Speech 10 I Mr James Fairfax, AO has been agenerous supporter ofthe arts and donor to the Gallery. 2 Sir Bruce Watson became Chairman ofthe Queensland Art Gallery Foundation in late 1985.