SHARING THE NATIONAL COLLECTION: THE WRITING’S ON THE WALL IN SHEPPARTON

Two large artworks examining language and text will be loaned to Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) from the National Gallery of Australia for two years thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection Program.

Works from Agatha Gothe-Snape’s and Lawrence Weiner be displayed in the atrium of SAM. The pieces will headline the museum’s upcoming exhibition The Writing’s on the Wall.

Agatha Gothe-Snape is a leading Australian artist whose works have been exhibited widely across the world including at the 8th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art in 2014. Lawrence Weiner was a central figure of conceptual art in the 1960’s, exploring the potentials of language as a sculptural medium.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the program is continuing to benefit regional galleries and their visitors.

“Our Sharing the National Collection program has given regional audiences a chance to see things that normally don’t make it out beyond our major cities.

“The national collection belongs to the entire nation, not just to Canberra.” 

Senator for Victoria, Jana Stewart said programs like this really benefit the region.

“More than a million people across Australia have had the chance to see works the normally wouldn’t because of the Sharing the National Collection program, now it’s Shepparton’s turn.”

Director of the National Gallery, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said the loan reflects the strength of collaboration between national and regional galleries.

“Sharing the National Collection offers opportunities for the National Gallery to partner with regional galleries to bring works to the community that celebrate their own artistic programming.

“The National Gallery is pleased to partner with SAM to share these two works that explore language by specialists Agatha Gothe-Snape and Lawrence Weiner.”

Danny Lacy, Artistic Director of SAM said:

“SAM is excited to loan works from the national collection as key anchor points for our text-based exhibition The Writing’s on the Wall. To loan conceptual, instructional artworks by leading international and Australian artists is a unique opportunity which we can’t wait to share with our local community.”

Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy. The program has provided $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen right across the country. 

Regional and suburban galleries can register their interest in the loan program here.