The Ipswich Art Gallery will welcome artwork by two giants of American painting in November as part of the Federal Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.
The pieces by Mark Rothko and Agnes Martin, will include one of the National Gallery’s most valuable and treasured works of art, Rothko’s 1957 #20, valued at $116 million.
They will be displayed for two years alongside works from the gallery’s own collection by Hanssen Pigott and other local Ipswich artists.
Minister for the Arts Tony Burke said the display is an example of the ambition of what can be achieved through Sharing the National Collection.
“The National Gallery of Australia’s collection belongs to all Australians,” Mr Burke said.
“But at any one point in time 98 per cent of it is kept in storage – until now.
“Having these pieces on display in Ipswich will be a game-changer for the Gallery, and I can’t wait to see them in their new home.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said he was excited to see these works of art on display in the Ipswich Art Gallery.
“Our local regional galleries punch above their weight in terms of providing access to exceptional art and artistic experiences to their local communities,” he said.
“Sharing the National Collection with the Ipswich Art Gallery exposes more people to world-renowned works of art that would not be available at a local level.”
FAST FACTS
Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive. This is Australia’s new national cultural policy, with $11.8 million given over four years to fund the costs of transport, including installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen across the country for extended periods.
