Vew from the chair: Speeches of Richard WL Austin

2 Taking account of Asia The speeches that follow present Richard Austin's vision of a new and more sophisticated relationship between Australian art institutions, such as the Queensland Art Gallery, and Asian institutions. But they also contain a personal philosophy which had its source in a long involvement with Asia, especially Japan. The latter relationship culminated in the extraordinary achievement of the award of the Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon) from the Emperor of Japan in July l 995. The influence of Richard Austin's views is revealed in an editorial in the Courier-Mail, 13 Dec. 1989, based on one of his speeches.' 'The carefully chosen remarks of Queensland Art Gallery Chairman Richard Austin about Australia's relations with Japan deserve to be widely considered ... Mr Austin believes there is no progress in hatred. Mr Austin also believes there is much to admire and to learn about Japanese society .. .' The influence of Richard Austin's ideas on Asia extended beyond the art world, but for the Queensland Art Gallery his ideas and philosophy had monumental results. It was Richard Austin who initiated the unprecedented involvement at many levels with Asia, carried through over the next few years by Director Doug Hall and the staff of the Gallery. In particular, the inauguration of the groundbreaking Asia-Pacific Triennial project established the Queensland Art Gallery as an institution of international significance. These speeches, presented from 1987 to 199 •, anticipated, accompanied and explained a new policy direction for the Queensland Art Gallery, which had profound results for the Gallery in changing its standing both nationally and internationally, and equally profound implications for the wider art community in Australia. Speech to open 'The Art of Ai', Gold Coast City Art Gallery, 28 October 1987 Let me say at the outset that I am both pleased and flattered to be here this evening to open this exhibition, 'The Art of Ai'. Pleased, because I always enjoy an opportunity to talk about things Japanese; and flattered that so many of you are apparently prepared to listen to me. 16