Sharing the National Collection: Griffith gets decked out in dazzling jewels

A stunning display of almost 40 pieces of Australian contemporary jewellery from the National Gallery will travel to Griffith Regional Art Gallery in regional NSW for two years as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program. 

The pieces - including brooches, rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and more - were created by a variety of Australian artists from the 1970s to the 2010s.

The display will complement a selection of works from the Griffith Regional Art Gallery’s own collection and will coincide with the opening of the National Contemporary Jewellery Awards on 8 November 2024.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the Sharing the National Collection program is already having a positive impact on regional galleries.

“We’ve seen participating galleries report a serious uptick in visitors as a result of being able to display locally-significant pieces from the National Gallery, and I’m sure it will be the same for Griffith.

“At any one time 98 per cent of the National Gallery’s collection is in storage. Thanks to this program these pieces are travelling the distance so you don’t have to – being seen and appreciated right across the country.”

Senator for New South Wales Deborah O’Neill said, “The loan of these beautiful pieces will be the perfect counterpart to the Griffith Regional Art Gallery’s celebrated Jewellery Awards, I hope both the art and the awards will attract even more visitors to the gallery.”

National Gallery Director Dr Nick Mitzevich said, “This partnership between the National Gallery and Griffith Regional Art Gallery has been made possible through the Sharing the National Collection initiative. 

“It will bring a significant selection of jewellery to the Western Riverina, reflecting the venue and region’s important contemporary jewellery collection.”

Raymond Wholohan, Griffith Regional Gallery Coordinator said “This is an incredible opportunity to elevate the Griffith Regional Gallery’s audience around our bi-annual contemporary Jewellery Prize which coincides with the showcasing of treasures from the National Gallery through the Sharing the National Collection initiative.

“The works of arts that will come on loan reflect the Australian Jewellers represented in our own collection, providing students and artist in the region with a unique opportunity to learn about Australian contemporary jewellery practice in our own community.”

Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s new national cultural policy, with $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 across the country for extended periods.

The works can be viewed via the National Gallery’s website.

Regional and suburban galleries can register their expressions of interest via this link.

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