Like so many of our national institutions, art plays an important part in reflecting the purpose of the building. As part of Parliament House’s 25th anniversary, a new exhibition aims to inform visitors of the extensive range of artworks both on permanent display and in the rotating collection.
25 Treasures, with the theme of Land, Landscape and Identity connects the building, nestled as it is into Capital Hill, with the broader Australian Landscape. Curated by Peter Haynes, who was the head of Art Services when the building was opened in 1988 before heading on to direct the Canberra Museum and Gallery, has searched through Parliament House’s collection and found a wonderful range of interpretations of the theme.
Be it a quintessential interpretation of the Australian Bush by Fred Williams or Michael Nelson Jagamara’s gorgeous and moving Forecourt Mosaic, the exhibition includes a broad range of artworks to highlight our landscape is as diverse as the ways in which it can be represented.
And the masterstroke of 25 Treasures? By moving Arthur Boyd’s famous untitled painting used for the tapestry inside The Great Hall from its previously unremarkable home in a thoroughfare to a position overlooking the foyer the impact is immediate. The soaring gum trees that create such strong verticals speak directly to the marble pillars rising up from the floor of the foyer. The effect is striking, and gives the work a whole new context with a view to the eucalypts of Federation Mall and Mount Ainslie beyond.
One of the most appealing aspects of the tour is the way it has been designed for people of all ages. Whether you’re young or old, an art aficionado or someone who is looking to take full advantage of a trip to Parliament House, the exhibition provides fascinating overviews, questions to stimulate discussion and knowledgeable Visitor Services Officers to assist with your understanding and appreciation of the works on display. Descriptions designed especially for children are marked with Arthur Boyd’s cockatoo, and encourage younger visitors to think about the art and its purpose.
More than that, 25 Treasures encourages you to walk through the building to find some of the pieces while stopping to observe the landscape outside of the building. 25 Treasures is on every day until 16th February 2014. While Parliament House is a ‘must see’ for tourists, be sure to brush up on your local knowledge and take this great opportunity to learn more about Canberra’s most famous house.
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Possum and Wallaby Dreaming (1985), Michael Nelson Jagamara (1946 −) Warlpiri people. © Image reproduced with permission of the Artist through the Aboriginal Artists’ Agency Ltd. Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services, Canberra, ACT.
Untitled (Shoalhaven Landscape) (design for the Great Hall tapestry)(1984), Arthur Boyd (1920 – 1999). © Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services, Canberra, ACT
