Nicholas Hasluck AM QC | BOARD CHAIR RENEW is a fitting theme as we move towards the 125th anniversary of the Gallery in 2020. AGWA’s director Stefano Carboni and his dedicated team have designed this year’s program to spark curiosity, encourage discussion and showcase a wide range of excellence in the visual arts. A few key milestones and beloved projects will also be celebrated this year. The 15th anniversary of the Tom Malone Prize will feature all works by past winners and other works by Australian glass artists the Gallery has acquired since 2003. We celebrate the 25th anniversary of Year 12 Perspectives, with the delightful showcase of work by Western Australia’s young artists. This year’s exhibition will also involve alumni who have become professional practitioners in the visual arts. 2017 is also the 40th anniversary of the superb Voluntary Gallery Guides. Our commitment to acquiring and displaying new works, and to WA artists through the WA Focus series means that we are always offering something new for our visitors. We are indebted to our sponsors, the Foundation and our Friends whose support is essential to delivering such a rich program. I conclude my last year as Chair by conveying on behalf of the Board and staff at AGWA a warm welcome to my successor Sam Walsh AO. Enjoy reading about our plans and visit us often.
John Day MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS Alongside major exhibitions, such as the touring Bill Henson exhibition from the National Gallery of Victoria and the innovative Sneakers exhibit organised by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum, the Gallery will be collaborating with more WA organisations than ever before. These include the Perth International Arts Festival, Co3 dance company, HBF Run for a Reason, Curtin University, Green World Revolution, Fashion Council WA, Fringe World, Awesome Arts, WA Music Industry Association, the Department of Sport and Recreation, Artsource and Community Cinemas. A very significant cultural collaboration with the Western Australian Museum will celebrate Perth born film legend Heath Ledger and will be a particular highlight.
Julianne Swartz Blue Sky with Rainbow 2015-2016 (detail). Solar collector on roof, sunlight, fibre optic cable, custom PVC cladding, prism, lens and acetate, dimensions variable. State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased through the TomorrowFund, Art Gallery of Western Australia Foundation, 2015. © the artist. Photo: Acorn Photo.
AGWA – See things differently
All of this partnership work, tied to innovations such as the new Indigenous Gallery, robot tours, virtual reality immersions, Art Ball, opening the rooftop to new ideas like SkyScreen, the Culture Juice series and the reimagining of the State Art Collection, mean that audiences can expect the unexpected – and be assured of a richly rewarding experience. 5