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Gallery Collection Policy

Collection policy 

The Gold Coast CIty Gallery Collection Gallery has been built up since 1968 and now includes  over 2500 works with an overall value of over 13 million dollars. The Gallery develops its collection according to the following collection policy areas -
 
Section 1 Australian Art

Works acquired under this section of the policy will reflect the broad directions in Australian art practice. A significant, though not exclusive, source of acquisition under this section will be the annual Art Prize. This section of the policy includes work from the following media categories:
 
1a. Painting
The Gallery will collect Australian paintings with a focus on developing the existing collection and to illustrate the continued use of this medium in contemporary Australian art practice.
 
1b. Ceramics
The Gallery will continue to collect high quality Australian and International ceramics.  The principal, though not exclusive, source for acquisitions under this section will be the annual Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award.
 
1c. Sculpture
The Gallery will continue to develop the Evandale Sculpture Walk through the acquisition of sculptures suitable for display outdoors.
 
1d.  Works on paper
The Gallery will collect works on paper including drawings, prints and photographs.
 
Section 2 Gold Coast Collection
Works acquired under this section are relevant to the Gold Coast either by origin/creator or subject matter. This section will include historical works of the greater Gold Coast region as well as works by local artists or visiting artists producing work pertaining to the Gold Coast region.
 
Section 3. Beach Culture
The Gallery will develop a collection addressing the theme of beach culture. Works to be acquired under this section may focus, either representatively or conceptually on such activities as surfing, swimming, boating, sunbathing, and other beachside or ocean activities. Works may also focus on social and cultural activities associated with the beach.
 
Collection Highlight
William Robinson: The Rainforest 1990
Perhaps the most prominent acquisition, in terms of public debate, price, and sheer scale, was the purchase of The Rainforestby William Robinson in 1990. When this painting won the Wynne Prize for Landscape in 1990, the then Gallery Director, Fran Cummings, was inspired to purchase this work for the collection. The ensuing public battle over the acquisition of this work, parallels, on a regional scale, the public controversy of the Whitlam government’s decision to purchase Jackson Pollack’s Blue Poles in 1972. The considerable funds raised to buy the painting are now justified by its current monetary value, but, more importantly, this purchase firmly placed Gold Coast City Gallery’s collection as a major collection of contemporary Australian art and one of the finest in regional Queensland.
 
For further information, please view the article A History of the Gold Coast City Gallery's Collection.