Gallery launches donation display

THE Art Gallery of Ballarat has put on show what’s being described as the most significant addition to the collection in over thirty years with nearly fifty works donated by a private collector.

Dr Graeme Williams gifted the gallery works from his 250-piece collection early last year that went on display last Friday.

Titled A precious gift: The Graeme Williams donation, the benefactor was inspired to offer the works after a near-death experience.

“I can see them all in the one room today and I realise this is the one moment they’re all together. It’s good because I don’t know what could happen in life,” he said.

“I didn’t buy them as an investment otherwise I wouldn’t give them all away. I want them all in a good home. I want them in a place where the public can access them.”

A retired architect Dr Williams, and accumulated much of his collection from Australian art dealers Charles Nodrum Gallery and Niagara Galleries.

His collection includes works from artists like Sidney Nolan, Frederick Williams and John Brack.

The donation was made in memory of Dr William’s deceased children Antony and Tess, who are acknowledged on the labels of every work.

Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart said the donation is “a welcome gift” to the gallery’s collection.

“It’s an opportunity for not only artists we’ve had in the collection but there’s different works by those artists,” she said.

“For example, David Fraser. We’ve got a number of his prints but there’s a beautiful drawing there, but also a number of artists we didn’t have in the collection.”

“A lot of public collections, they’re built through private donations but it’s often after people have passed away. Graeme’s taken a very different approach and given it while he’s still living.”

A precious gift: The Graeme Williams donation will be on display until Sunday, 16 October.