There have been some exciting new appointments to both the Murdoch University Art Collection Board and Curatorial team over recent weeks.
The Board is delighted to welcome Helen Carroll (at right) to the team. Helen is the Curator of the Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art and oversees Wesfarmers’ extensive commitment to support of the performing and visual arts in Western Australia and nationally.
Prior to joining Wesfarmers in 1999, she held the position of Public Programmes Coordinator and Curator of Australian Art at Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, The University of Western Australia. Helen served on the Board of the Art Gallery of Western Australia for eight years, and previous Board appointments include Art on the Move Western Australia, of which she was Chair from 2003 to 2005. She is delighted to be joining the Murdoch community.
"It is a privilege and a great delight to be joining the Board of the Murdoch University Art Collection. This is such a discerning and exciting collection. One that has evolved and flourished over many years both through a dedicated and far-sighted acquisition program of key purchases and through the exceptional generosity of a whole community of wonderful donors - all of whom believe passionately in the role that art can have in the life and culture in a place of learning and ideas," said Helen.
Dr Baige Zylstra is the second new appointment and is now working with Mark Stewart as Murdoch University Art Collection’s new Assistant Art Curator.
Baige (at left) has a PhD in Art History from The University of Western Australia and has worked at the University over many years; teaching in the Art History program, curating academic and public programs at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, and working as a Research Associate and Project Manager for the Collecting the West, Australian Research Council Project.
She has also held curatorial and registration roles at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and has contributed to research and exhibition content for the Western Australian Museum. Her current research focuses on the history of collecting and display in the State's collecting institutions, international and intercolonial exhibitions.
Baige echoed Helen's sentiments when reflecting on her new position.
"The Murdoch University Art Collection is such a rich and distinctive collection, led by an exceptional Curator and Board. I love that the artworks are integrated throughout the University’s campuses and form a central part of the student and staff experience. The collection has important cultural and educational value, and enriches student learning by stimulating curiosity, critical and creative thinking. It will be a pleasure to work with a collection of this calibre," she said.
A very warm welcome to Helen and Baige!
