Fifty-six artworks from the Murdoch University Art Collection are on loan to Parliament House for a six-month exhibition titled PEEK: A Partial View of the Murdoch University Art Collection.
The walls and halls of Western Australia’s Parliament House are being transformed with a display of some of Australia’s finest and most thought-provoking contemporary art.Fifty-six artworks from the Murdoch University Art Collection are on loan to Parliament House for a six-month exhibition titled PEEK: A Partial View of the Murdoch University Art Collection.
Visitors to the “people’s house”, as well as politicians and staffers, will be challenged and inspired by a diverse collection that touches on important issues for modern Australia.
Murdoch Vice Chancellor Eeva Leinonen said the exhibition reflects the University’s increasing engagement with the community.
“For over 40 years, Murdoch has been proud of its tradition of supporting Australian artists through our collection, which now numbers more than 2000 pieces,” she said.
“Art has always been an intrinsic part of the Murdoch experience and our collection is woven throughout our campuses, here in WA and abroad, where it can be viewed and enjoyed by staff, students and visitors every day.
“It is our belief that art should be part of everyday experience rather than only housed in museums or galleries. At Murdoch University, you don’t have to go looking for art. Art finds you throughout your working day.
This Parliament House exhibition, a first for the University, underpins our ongoing commitment to supporting and celebrating culture and the arts across the community, as well as promoting new activities that draw people into the city.“It is another way the University contributes to the economic, social and cultural prosperity of our community. We are delighted to share our extraordinary art collection with the staff and visitors to Parliament House.”
PEEK: A Partial View of the Murdoch University Art Collection will be formally opened by the Hon Peter Watson MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Chair of the Parliament House Art Advisory Committee, and launched by the Hon Kate Doust MLC, President of the Legislative Council, on Monday, February 17.
Professor Leinonen expressed her thanks to the Speaker and President for partnering with Murdoch to bring the University’s art collection to a new audience.
Murdoch Art Curator Mark Stewart said the 56 artworks would be displayed along the walls of Parliament’s southern and northern corridors.
He said challenging and thought-provoking works on display would include Brisbane artist and activist Ryan Presley’s reimagining of Australian currency featuring indigenous rights activist Vincent Lingiari and prominent Noongar Whadjuk woman Fanny Balbuk.
“It’s fantastic for us to provide a ‘sneak peek’ of our collection to a different audience and in a building of such significance to our democracy,” he said.
Members of the public will be able to see the Murdoch collection by signing up for a Parliament House art tour, held on the first Friday of each month.