To the Islands: Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To the

Islands EXHIBITION SUMMARY

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 18 October - 1 December 2014 Cairns Regional Gallery 10 January - 9 March 2014 Prepared 23 March 2014

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

G a l l ery S e rvice s S ta f f Shane Fitzgerald Eric Nash Jo Stacey Michael Pope Jak Henson Sarah Welch Rob Donaldson Nic Horton Tegan Ollett

Leah McManus Holly Grech-Fitzgerald Carly Sheil Wendy Bainbridge

Gillian Ribbins

Danielle Berry Breanna Capell Michelle Littman

Manager Gallery Services Curator Team Leader Administration Gallery Services Education and Programs Coordinator Exhibitions and Collection Coordinator Exhibitions and Collection Coordinator Digital Media and Exhibition Design Coordinator Education and Programs Officer Education and Programs Assistant Exhibitions Officer Collections Management Officer Digital Media and Exhibition Design Officer Administration Officer Administration Officer Gallery Trainee Gallery Assistant Gallery Assistant

Cover Image: Noel WOOD Australia b.1912 d.2001 Dunk Island landscape with Bougainvillea and beached boat c.1950 Oil on composition board 31 x 37cm Acc. 2009.41 Purchased 2009 City of Townsville Art Collection Photograph: Shane Fitzgerald, Gallery Services

Image: Noel WOOD Australia b.1912 d.2001 Two boats 1946 Oil on canvas 45.7 x 56.5cm Acc. 1:0384a Purchased 1946 Queensland Art Gallery Collection Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

r 2013

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Image: Valerie ALBISTON Australia b.1911 d.2008 Timana Island [detail] 1945 Oil on composition board, 86.6 x 69cm Acc. 1986.008 Purchased 1986. Perc Tucker Memorial Art Collection Appeal Fund City of Townsville Art Collection Photograph: Shane Fitzgerald, Gallery Services

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

O vervie w Curated by former Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Director Ross Searle, To the Islands explored works created by artists on Dunk, Bedarra and Timana islands between the 1930s and 1990s.

The exhibition’s curator Ross Searle said, “This is the first exhibition to examine the history of artists who have lived and worked in the islands close to the north Queensland coastal town of Mission Beach. Dunk Island is the best known of the islands that are referred to as the Family Group. Others include Bedarra, Timana, Wheeler, Coombe, Smith, Bowden and Hudson Islands.”

Such artists of note included in the exhibition are Valerie Albiston, Bruce Arthur, Yvonne Cohen, Deanna Conti, Roy Dalgarno, Fred Williams, and Noel Wood.

The exhibition was a significant occasion for the arts in north Queensland, and was doubly so due to the Inaugural Philip Bacon Guest Lecture, delivered by Chris Saines, Director QAGOMA, which was organised to coincide with the exhibition’s launch event.

To the Islands was launched at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and displayed from 18 October – 1 December 2013, before touring to the Cairns Regional Gallery from 10 January – 9 March 2014. This short tour exemplified best practice in the form of partnerships between regional galleries to realise best exhibition programming on limited financial resources.

Throughout its display at both galleries, To the Islands attracted a total of 12,655 visitors, with 6,181 attending Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and a further 6,474 attending Cairns Regional Gallery.

The exhibition was complemented by a 60 page publication, which has been funded through the Gordon Darling Foundation, and marked an important contribution to the Australian arts literature field about a littleknown but highly important period in the nation’s arts history.

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Above: Mr Chris Saines officially launches To the Islands Image Opposite: Mr Ross Searle delivers a curator’s walk through of the exhibition

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

E ducation a nd Pro gr a m s Perc Tucker Regional Gallery places enormous importance on providing educative programs associated with exhibitions, and connecting with local artists, schools and young people. The education and public program components associated with To the Islands emphasise this.

Particularly, Gallery Services is grateful to the funding afforded by Mr Philip Bacon AM and Philip Bacon Galleries which enabled the presentation of the inaugural Philip Bacon Guest Lecture. Coinciding with the launch of To the Islands, the presentation was delivered by Mr Chris Saines, Director QAGOMA, to a large and appreciative audience in excess of 100 guests.

Information about the exhibition was also readily available online, within the exhibition through the provided didactic panels, and of course within the beautiful 62 page exhibition catalogue. Text contributors included Manager Gallery Services Shane Fitzgerald, exhibition Curator Ross Searle, Mr Glenn R Cooke, Mrs Catherine Stocky, and Dr. Anneke Silver, and together their unique insights painted a picture of an important but previously unchartered chapter of Australian arts history.

Information and education kits were also disseminated to all primary and secondary art teachers within the Townsville region via Gallery Services’ Creative Classrooms e-newsletter.

Further engagement activities conducted by Gallery Services to coincide with To the Islands included a Free Family Fun Day of art activities, children’s art workshops, life drawing classes, and workshops and tours for community and school groups such as the German Play Group, Mission Arts, University of the Third Age (U3A), and James Cook University School of Creative Arts.

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Medi a a nd M a r k et ing To the Islands was promoted through the channels listed below. Copies of materials are provided for your records where possible.

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Exhibition invitation/flyer: distribution of 1000 Email exhibition invitation: distribution of 750 Inclusion in October 2013 Perc Tucker Regional Gallery e-news ‘Foreword’: distribution of 750 Inclusion in November 2013 Perc Tucker Regional Gallery e-news ‘Foreword’: distribution of 750 Inclusion in September/October/November Townsville City Council Arts, Culture and Events newsletter: distribution of 10,000 Dedicated web listing on the Townsville City Council website Numerous posts on Gallery facebook, reach of over 700 people per post Numerous posts on Gallery twitter, reach of over 250 people per post Staff email footers Media releases distributed locally and nationally Listing in September/October Art Guide Australia Listing in November/December Art Guide Australia Article in DUO Magazine Listing in DUO Magazine Listing in ‘townsville eye’ (Townsville Bulletin weekend lifestyle liftout) 12 October 2013

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Visitor Co m m e nt s Evidence of the exhibition’s popularity amongst visitors, 77 people felt compelled to leave a comment on their experience at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Of these comments, many were positive accounts of the person’s visit, with some reflecting on their own experiences in the region during with the artists.

A selection of some of our favourite comments are below and opposite, and a copy of the complete comments book is appended.

New to Townsville!! From Coffs Harbour! Years ago lived at Mission Beach so knew Islands in paintings - love this Gallery lots!

Jill Stafford Townsville Have known about the artists ‘colony’ on islands, now I’ve seen their work. Just wonderful.

Jacki Cavani Nice exhibition of fresh and colourful paintings! Something magical about the islands...!

Kees Scherpenisse Very picturesque and impressive.

M Marhin Townsville

Image: Bruce ARTHUR / Fred WILLIAMS Bedarra garden 1973-74 Wool hand-woven, 203 x 448cm Long-term loan to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from Mrs Lyn Williams Photograph: Shane Fitzgerald, Gallery Services

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Lovely collection! Love the colours and feel...Very tropical. Great to have a free Gallery to explore. Thank You! Lisa Smith Gold Coast Fantastic exhibition: To the Islands, very informative and whimsical!

Angela Bush Townsville Love Noel Wood’s work, found it very moving.

Terry Smallwood Townsville An eye opener! I love the islands and often work there, and knew the artistic background, but this is the first time I have seen these works. Brilliant! This show should be taken south.

Richard Johnson Townsville A fabulous trip through a beautiful place!

Tony and Rosemary Lee Wonderful resource in the heart of the city. Love this tropical collection.

Mesilyo Gill Cairns Inspiring display of North Queensland island arts through the ages historically!

D Ghosh Sydney Wonderful to revist the Gallery after 25 years and find such a relevant and inspiring exhibition. Thank you Curators!

Claire Wood Mackay

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

D o cume ntat ion Contained in the following pages are shots taken from To the Islands by Perc Tucker Regional Gallery staff during its showing from 18 October until 1 December 2013.

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Image: Fred WILLIAMS Australia b.1927 d.1982 Pitcher Plant, Weipa III [detail] Gouache on paper, 55.9 x 76.2cm Acc. 2000.55 Gift of Mrs Lyn Williams 2000 City of Townsville Art Collection Photograph: Shane Fitzgerald, Gallery Services

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

R egiona l Tour ing P ro g r a m To the Islands was significant not only in its content, but also as it saw the establishment of a unique regional galleries partnership between Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Cairns Regional Gallery.

With Perc Tucker Regional Gallery already committing to the development and display of To the Islands, it was negotiated for the exhibition to also tour exclusively to Cairns Regional Gallery as part of Gallery Services’ Regional Touring Program. Cairns was a highly suitable location to showcase these works, with the region also hugely impacted by the contributions of the artists included in the exhibition.

With regional galleries limited in funds to develop exhibition content, this partnership allowed Cairns Regional Gallery to secure a major exhibition of relevance to their region for minimal costs, garnered greater awareness for the contributions of the artists, while also further promoting Perc Tucker Regional Gallery’s achievements within the broader region. To this end, a broader audience was also made aware of the significant financial contributions of the Gordon Darling Foundation towards this project.

Following the success of this partnership, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Cairns Regional Gallery will look to future opportunities to identify partnerships and synergies in the organisations’ exhibition programs.

While on display at Cairns Regional Gallery, To the Islands attracted 6,474 visitors, much positive comment and glowing critical reviews. The following pages of this summary illustrate the comment made by visitors, the media and marketing that was undertaken, and imagery of the exhibition on display.

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Visitor Co m m e nt s Continuing the affectionate trend noted in the visitor comments recorded at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, a further 263 comments were left by guests at Cairns Regional Gallery, of which 260 were positive.

A selection of some of our favourite comments are below and opposite, and a copy of the complete comments book is appended.

Fabulous and a new look at art history!

Cathie and Julius Stocky Victoria Stunning art and lovely gallery.

Kendall Kelly Victoria Great learning about Ozzie Art! Rachelle Gossat Israel As a student to be a curator, it was a really great time!

Jisu South Korea Excellent. Great to see little known regional artists appreciated for their contribution to history of Australian art.

Marion Clarkson Mareeba Fantastic! Beautiful works! Having spent much time on Dunk and also visited Bedarra and Timana I really appreciate.

Ian Clifton Beach What an absolute treat for the beginning of the year. A fabulous collection of artists’ works. Especially thrilled to see the weaving. Great collection.

Ruth Cairns

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Peaceful and inspiring!

Maureen Cowley Newcastle NSW Great works and info on little known period.

W. Johnson Great gallery. Enjoyed it all.

Phillip Adelaide SA Fabulous. So good to see modernist works inspired by northern Queensland.

Angela Lansdon Trinity Beach Always a pleasure to see the islands. Thanks for info about our artists.

Sue Mission Beach Lovely paintings, warm atmosphere.

A Reum Seong Korea A remarkable collection of Australian art and tapestry beautifully displayed.

Peter Johnson Great to see recognition of regional artists.

T. Terrell Trinity Beach

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

Medi a a nd M a r k et ing While on display at Cairns Regional Gallery, To the Islands was promoted through the channels listed below.

The exhibition also attracted significant and positive critical reviews at this time, namely feature articles in The Courier Mail, and The Australian newspapers.

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Community Connect listing for duration of exhibition Entertainment Cairns listing for duration of exhibition Artslink listing for duration of exhibition Inclusion in fortnightly e-newsletter: distribution of 6800 Numerous posts on Cairns Regional Gallery facebook page: reach of 1630 Numermous posts on Cairns Regional Gallery twitter account Numerous posts on Cairns Regional Gallery instagram account Advertisement in the Cairns Post newspaper 12 x listings in the Cairns Post newspaper Inclusion in 2 x issues of Art Dekko, the Cairns Regional Gallery magazine distributed to members, art institutions and art professionals: distribution of 2000 50 x A3 posters Gallery banner A1 poster A0 poster Gallery ‘What’s On’ mailout to visitor information tour desk, members, and available from the reception desk: distribution of 4000 Article in The Courier Mail, 29 January 2014 Article in the Cairns Post newspaper, 30 January 2014 Article in the Port Douglas and Mossman Gazette Article in The Australian newspaper, 17 February 2014

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

D o cume ntat ion Contained in the following pages are shots taken from To the Islands by Cairns Regional Gallery staff during its showing from 10 January until 9 March 2014.

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

To t h e I s l a n d s Exhibition Summary

G a l l ery S e rvice s Through Gallery Services, Townsville City Council owns and operates two premier regional galleries, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in the city’s CBD, and Pinnacles Gallery located within the Riverway Arts Centre in Thuringowa Central.

Perc Tuck e r R egiona l G a l l e ry Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is located in one of Townsville’s finest heritage buildings, on the corner of Denham and Flinders Streets, in the city centre.

The Gallery has a ground floor and first floor level with seven exhibition spaces. On display are works by north Queensland artists as well as national and international touring exhibitions. Guided group exhibition tours are available upon request and prior bookings are essential.

For further information about programs, membership, venue hire, or to place a booking, please contact Perc Tucker Regional Gallery: +61 (7) 4727 9011 ptrg@townsville.qld.gov.au www.townsville.qld.gov.au Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday - Sunday 10am - 2pm Closed Public Holidays, Free Admission

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery First Floor Exhibition Space

Pinnacl e s G a l l e ry Pinnacles Gallery opened in March 1996 as part of the Thuringowa Library and Council complex. The Gallery provided a space for the display of a diversity of art, social history and educational exhibitions to serve the needs of Thuringowa’s residents and visitors at the time.

Pinnacles Gallery moved in 2006 to a purpose-built gallery within the Riverway Arts Centre – the only purposebuilt gallery in Townsville. The space offers a multitude of ways to present artwork and has the capacity to deliver multimedia artwork presentations.

Guided group exhibition tours are available upon request and prior bookings are essential.

For further information about programs, venue hire, or to place a booking, please contact Pinnacles Gallery: +61 (7) 4773 8871 pinnacles@townsville.qld.gov.au www.townsville.qld.gov.au Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday - Sunday 10am - 5pm Closed Public Holidays, Free Admission

Riverway Art Centre, which houses Pinnacles Gallery

Pinnacles Gallery