Return to the new-look Potter
Ian Potter Museum of Art have been busy relocating the entire University art collection to temporary storage quarters and then reinstalling it to the newly refurbished building, in time for the re-opening on 6 August 2005.
In early December 2003 the Potter closed its doors to undertake a complete rebuilding of the Museum’s climate control system. With this work now completed the Potter can confidently approach international museums and galleries for loans knowing that it has a state-of-the-art environmental control system that will meet the most stringent international environmental standards.
The Potter will reopen with six exhibitions, five of which will feature the University collection, including two which will display works that have never before been seen by the public.
The University collection holds the largest collection of work by the artist Edith Alsop. Lisa Sullivan (BEd 1990, PGDip Arts 1999), Collections Curator, has researched and curated the exhibitions, A study in rhythm and design: Edith Alsop (1871-1958). Similarly, the Madhubani paintings, acquired by John Dunham in the 1980s as a teaching collection for Indian Studies, will be given their first public viewing together with paintings by Louise Paramor of Indian artists she met while working as an artist in residence in India.
Another exhibition provides insight into the shared quest for utopian ideals of Ludwig Hirschfeld Mack and Percy Grainger, and features the terry towelling costumes of Percy Grainger and key unique and visionary works of Mack.
Old favourites including William Strutt’s ‘Bushrangers (1852)’ and Murray Griffin’s ‘The shearers (1952)’ are included in Highlights from the University of Melbourne Art Collection along with other lesser known gems. The Classics and Archaeology Collection has been reinstated on Level 1 together with the cameo exhibition Early Writing in Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Contemporary international works from Japan, Germany, China and the US are installed in The Difference Between You and Me on the Ground floor. You can marvel at the beauty of Napier Waller’s ‘Leckie Window (1935)’ now successfully illuminated to reveal subtleties of colour and toning that make this one of the most important stained glass windows in Australia.
The Potter staff looks forward to welcoming you back to the Museum in August.
Chris McAuliffe (BA 1983, MA 1987), Director.
The Ian Potter Museum of Art is located on campus in Swanston Street, Parkville. Visit the web site at www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au for program details. The web site also gives you information about how you can get involved with the Museum, including joining the mailing list for up-to-date information, becoming a member, or supporting specific operations or activities via sponsorship by becoming a donor or registering as a member of the Bequest Program.
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