Contemporary Australian Art

Peter Ellis, The sofa, 1986


Bern Emmerichs, Centenary platter, 1996


Jan Senbergs, Port Liardet, 1980

Since the 1960s, the primary focus of the Geelong Gallery's collecting has been the acquisition of contemporary Australian art. This has seen the development of one of the most significant contemporary art collections in regional Australia. As one decade succeeds another, and individual art works find themselves relegated into stylistic movements, the judicious acquisitions made by the Gallery have resulted in a comprehensive representation of the stylistic concerns of successive generations of Australian artists. The efforts of artists during the 1960s and 70s to challenge conventional approaches set the scene for the art of more recent years. Abstract and figurative concepts continued to be explored, with elements of both often combined. A growing focus on developing subject matter within the context of contemporary stylistic approaches also arose. The appropriation and reworking of images from well-known historical images, particularly from the classical Greece and Renaissance eras, underpinned many compositions. An often introspective interest in narrative content was also revived. At the same time, technical innovations resulted in the emergence of new art forms, particularly in printmaking, where digital prints appeared in increasing numbers and the artist's book became more popular.

A small budget meant few outright purchases by the Geelong Gallery, which continued to actively expand its contemporary art collection. Funds provided by Gordon Jackson and government bodies such as the Victorian Public Trust Fund (formerly Victorian Regional Art Galleries Trust Fund) and the Visual Arts/Crafts Board of the Australia Council have, however, enabled the Gallery to select and acquire a significant number of contemporary art works. Another government initiative, the Cultural Gifts Program (formerly Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme) also led to an increase in the donation of items relevant to the collection, while art prizes continued to play a significant part in the growth of this area. The Capital Permanent Building Society Award remained the Gallery's major contemporary Australian painting award until 1981. This was followed by the Scotchman's Hill Vineyard Art Prize (1989-90) and the Contemporary Art Prize from 1996. The Geelong Print Prize was revitalised in 1997.