Hamilton Gallery

Image: Nicholas Chevalier, Russia/England (1828-1902)
Mt Abrupt, The Grampians c.1864
Oil on canvas
Purchased by the Hamilton Gallery Trust Fund – M.L. Foster Bequest, with assistance of the Friends of Hamilton Gallery 2004.058

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Date
25 January – 24 May 2020

As you enter the Shaw Gallery this summer, you will see 100 works drawn from the collections of decorative arts and paintings. These works will be chosen by the people of Hamilton. They will include favourites of visitors, the staff of the gallery and, in particular The Champions a recently created group of individuals, who have each chosen a work they believe is the most significant in the Hamilton Gallery Collection. The Champions have spoken about their choice on the video to be presented as part of the exhibition.

Full length early 20th century portraits of ladies will stand opposite a glazed cabinet that contains a rare and delicate coffee set that those same ladies could have used for their morning coffee. 20th century ceramics will be displayed, tipping and tilting at a life size porcelain bust of a twenty-first century man. The portraits will jostle for space with profound landscapes, a typical fifties’ house, exquisite Still Lifes and local coastal scenes. Upstairs the permanent exhibitions of the Paul Sandby Collection and the Colonial masterpieces will be on display.

Visitors will be able to evaluate many treasured works from the Gallery’s collection. They will have an opportunity to write a short story or choose to vote for their favourite work. Through this process, the most loved Hamilton Gallery Work of Art for 2020 will be identified for acknowledgement as part of the upcoming 60th Anniversary. Herbert Buchanan Shaw’s bequest made the building of the Gallery and the establishment of the collection possible in 1961. Since that time the Gallery has continued to enjoy the support of Government, the Shire, philanthropists, donors and the community in general flourishing as the cultural hub of Hamilton.

Curated by Maudie Palmer AO and Eugene Howard