One of the newly re-opened 20th-century galleries at the Art Gallery of NSW. Front: Pukumanigrave posts (1958) by Laurie Nelson Mungatopi, Bob Apuatimi, Jack Yarunga, Don Burakmadjua, Charlie Kwangdini and unknown artist; Rear: works by Tony Tuckson (far left and far right) and Noŋgirrŋa Marawili (far centre). Photo: Christopher Snee.
Have you ever thought about what life would be like without your State gallery and its collection?
Gone would be the chance to see the range of stunning, and sometimes iconic, art works our State institutions have spent many years (and dollars) collecting on our behalf.
At the heart of it, our major galleries’ collective place within the cultural fabric of Australia is really about how much we – the Australian public – value those collections and their works.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).