MEET A MEMBER SUSANNE HEWITT

IN EACH ISSUE OF ARTEL, WE INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF OUR AMAZING MEMBERS. FOR THIS EDITION, WE ARE PROFILING SUE HEWITT, FINE ART CONSULTANT AND ART VALUER AND MRAG MEMBER SINCE 2009.

I first met Sue Hewitt in 2007, and we have worked together since that time in her capacity as a specialist valuer for the MRAG Collection. However, over that time Sue has not only supported the gallery collection in her professional role as an approved valuer for the Cultural Gifts Program, but also as a member, benefactor, and strong advocate of Maitland Regional Art Gallery.

Art has been a part of Sue Hewitt’s life for as long as she can remember. Her parents were passionate collectors, and her home has been filled with art since childhood.

Gallerist and art dealer Rudy Komon was a close family friend, and he connected her parents to artists of renown including William Dobell, Robert Dickerson, Sidney Nolan, John Olsen, Fred Williams and many more.

Sue has also been connected to art and artists across her professional life. Sue’s earliest job was as Personal Assistant to the wife of the Administrator of Papua-New Guinea (19651967) which led to her employment as Personal Assistant to Maie Casey, the wife of the GovernorGeneral Lord Richard Gardiner Casey (19671969).1 Lady Casey herself was an artist, writer and pilot and during her time at Yarralumla and Admiralty House she entertained artists, musicians and writers as well as hosting the dignitaries which came with the job.2 This meant that Sue also mixed with some historically significant creatives including Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale and ballet dancer and actor Sir Robert Helpman. William Dobell was a close friend of Lady Casey and

Sue recalls driving the dedicated car (with flag flying) to collect the shy, and very embarrassed, Dobell from Central Station when he came down from Wangi Wangi to visit for lunch at Admiralty House. Dobell and Lady Casey would then sit together and paint the Opera House. Sue was also entrusted on the very special mission to assist Bill Dobell choose a new puppy after his beloved golden cocker spaniel had died.

In 1969, London Art Auction House, Christie’s, established its first Australian branch and Sue Hewitt began working with them as Christie’s Sydney Office Manager. In 1976, Sue became the first woman auctioneer for Christie’s worldwide and she worked with Christie’s for almost 20 years becoming the Managing Director, Deputy Chairman and non-executive Director. Since then, she has held various Commonwealth appointments, including being a member of the National Cultural Heritage Committee3, and worked as an art consultant and valuer for public galleries, private clients and companies.

Sue’s extensive career, passion for art, broad reaching networks and her love of MRAG has resulted in some wonderful connections and significant donations for MRAG. This includes introducing us to, our now good friends, Max and Nola Tegel, who donated their entire Lionel Lindsay collection to the MRAG Collection (now an MRAG touring exhibition Lionel’s Place). The Tegel’s have also assisted with fundraising events such as our MRAG members bus trips in which they have opened up their home, garden, private art collection and artist studio.

Sue Hewitt is not only an MRAG Member, but a great friend to MRAG, and it seems that she is always advocating for MRAG at every opportunity. Thank you Sue for the many years of support, connections and opportunities that have benefitted our collection, exhibition program, members events and professional reputation.