Collection Peek

The MRAG Collection comprises more than 5,000 artworks by Australian and international artists, with a focus on works on paper.

Utagawa Yoshitora, Golden Vase (detail), 1872-1911, woodblock print on paper, 34.4 x 44.5cm.

Donated under the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts program by Anthony Renshaw in 2017

In Focus

Designed by highly talented artists, ukiyo-e woodblock prints – also known as ‘pictures of the floating world’ – were created between the 17th and 19th centuries in Japan. These vibrant and beautifully coloured prints, 60 of which are in the MRAG Collection, depict the hedonistic lifestyle of the Edo period, including scenes of Kabuki theatre and courtesans. Ukiyo-e prints made an impact on European Impressionist and PostImpressionist artists, who were intrigued by their original use of colour, dramatic foreshortening and asymmetrical compositions. Their influence on Western art became known as Japonism.

Words: Linden Pomare

Billie Mosman and Linden Pomare in the MRAG Collection Store.

Member Tour

MRAG Exhibition Officer Linden Pomare recently took member Billie Mosman on a guided tour of the treasures of the Collection Store.

Please tell us a bit about your visit to the MRAG Collection Store today.

I didn’t really know what to expect but it felt like walking into a box of treasures. I was amazed that so many artworks are stored in one room. I got to see lots of different styles of art, but an hour went by so fast. Linden showed me some Les Darcy boxing memorabilia, the Works on Paper drawers – including some amazing colourful Japanese woodblock prints – and then some paintings.

What works were you especially interested in seeing?

I’m very interested in Indigenous culture and am doing an assignment on the Aboriginal Dreaming story of the Seven Sisters stars at uni; Linden showed me quite a few works by Indigenous artists including one by Western desert artist Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri. I saw the most valuable artwork in the Collection, a large ink painting of a wren by Brett Whiteley, and then a very playful photo of Whiteley in his studio (by Greg Weight, 1971). I also saw the first artwork in the Collection, a watercolour of a strange-looking landscape by Brian Cowley. I enjoyed trying to guess what it depicted; Linden later revealed it was of a blast furnace in Wales.

What else did you see or learn about?

I was interested to hear about how staff ‘accession’ works into the Collection, which is a time-consuming process. I asked Linden what his favourite work in the room was, and he showed me a lead pencil drawing of some curious-looking characters by Australian artist Keith Looby. I’d like to visit again … perhaps there could be a sleepover party in the Collection room!

Thank you to Karen Lantry for Auslan interpreting for Billie during her tour.

Some of the artworks Billie saw on her tour:

Brett Whiteley, Wren II, 1983, brush ink on silk with acrylic border (on board), 212 x 72.5cm (image size). Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Pauline Hunter, 2013

Brian Cowley, Original Blast Furnace at Merthyr Tidfyl, South Wales, 1957, watercolour on paper, 26.5 x 49.5cm, Maitland Art Prize - Winner, 1957.

Any MRAG Member who would like to experience a one hour private Collection Store tour, and would be happy to be featured on this page in a future issue of Artel, please email us at artelmagazine@gmail.com to register your interest. The Collection Store is also open to the public from time to time; check the MRAG website for dates.