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STATE ART COLLECTION
The Gallery's purpose is to preserve, interpret, display and acquire the visual arts from the past and the present with an emphasis on the art of Western Australia and Indigenous art.
The Gallery aims to develop the pre-eminent art collection in Western Australia by acquiring, preserving, displaying and interpreting the visual arts from the past and present. Our emphasis is on Western Australian and Indigenous art, and the influences of both Australian and international arts which have informed local developments. The State Art Collection contains more than 17,000 works of art. The holdings of Indigenous art are a highlight of the Collection, providing a comprehensive overview of traditional and contemporary works from Arnhemland, the Central Desert and Western Australia. Twentieth century Australian and British paintings and sculpture are a particular strength of the Collection, which also has extensive holdings of prints, photographs, drawings, decorative arts, craft and design from the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries.
The Gallery places a high priority on the purchase of the art of today to create a legacy for future generations. The three priority areas for acquisition are listed in priority order:
Western Australian
The Art Gallery of Western Australia strives to acquire Western Australian Historical, Modern, Contemporary and Indigenous art and design in comprehensive depth.
Australian Art
Purchases will represent nationally significant Australian artists. The State Art Collection seeks to represent Australian Historical, Modern, Contemporary and Indigenous art and design in substantial depth.
International Art
International purchases will be highly selective and seek to represent high points of individual achievement from artists of international significance, influence and impact on Australian visual art. Priority will be given to works which parallel the history and provide context for Western Australian and Australian art and design in the contemporary period.
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Last Reviewed 27 January 2011
