Vew from the chair: Speeches of Richard WL Austin

These exhibitions were limited both geographically and culturally, whereas this one takes in the whole of Chinese art. What is especially stimulating about it is that it is not just a series of great objects representing the anthropological past; rather, it presents the Chinese Imperial and feudal past in a way which not only shows art history, but also brings to life the ancient cultural values and practices of the Chinese people. If we relate our own Western experiences to the history of China as· shown in this exhibition, we find a remarkable display of contrasts. In particular, we find a civilisation rich in its ritual and proud and defiant in its culture, which has spread its influence significantly throughout the world. Over the years, the West has learned and borrowed much from China, but I did not know until I read the Australian newspaper the weekend before last that our very Australian expression 'dinkum' could well be derived from the Cantonese pronunciation of two Chinese characters. These characters mean 'top gold' and were used by Chinese miners to describe nuggets of the highest quality. This derivation exactly describes this exhibition. It consists, indeed, of 'nuggets of the highest quality', and it augurs well for its success. This is our first major exhibition for 1993 and it is appropriately the first one to be opened by our new Minister for the Arts, who took over this portfolio from the Premier last December. It is not, however, the first time that he has been on the dais in this Gallery, as he has already been involved twice in the launching of the Asia-Pacific Triennial which, as many of you know, will open here in September. China will be represented, together with twelve other countries. We are delighted to have a Minister with the intellectual calibre of Mr Wells, and one who so keenly supports the international focus of the Gallery. And now it gives me great pleasure to call upon the Hon. Dean Wells, Attorney– General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Arts, to open the exhibition. 18 Speech at the opening of 'Surrealism: Revolution by Night', 20 May 1993 NOTE: THIS EXHIBITION OF OVER 300 WORKS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD WAS THE LARGEST PRESENTATION OF SURREALIST WORKS SEEN IN AUSTRALIA. THE EXHIBITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA IN CANBERRA AND WAS SPONSORED BY OPTUS COMMUNICATIONS. THE EXHIBITION WAS SHOWN IN BRISBANE FROM 21 MAY TO I I JULY 1993. It now only remains for me to bring the formal part of this evening's proceedings to a close by thanking the Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Dean Wells, for gracing the Gallery with his presence and for opening the exhibition. This is the second time this year that he has opened a major exhibition-in fact, we have had only two-and this indicates, I think, the extent of his interest in and commitment to what is, after all, only one of his three portfolios. We appreciate this interest and commitment very much indeed and, on behalf of the Trustees, I thank the Minister most warmly. 84