Hazelhurst Arts Centre has highlighted the works of Australian artists found in the University of Wollongong’s art collection.
The exhibit, titled Vision Splendid, takes place until June 18 in the main gallery and sources significant pieces from the extensive UOW’s collection, including the interdisciplinary culture of Australian art.
Curator for the Hazelhurst arts centre, Carrie Kibbler believes the collection to be of high quality, with its character lying in its Australian and Indigenous roots.
“It’s a really fantastic collection,” Ms Kibbler said.
“And one of the biggest strengths is the First Nations collection as well.
“The exhibition would probably be 30 per cent First Nations art.”
The UOW collection which was first curated in 1983, is comprised of over 5,000 visual works from artists such as John Olsen, James Gleeson and Lindy Lee as well as notable indigenous artists Destiny Deacon, Lily Karadada and Marrnyula Mununggurr.
The works are housed and displayed across the Wollongong campus in various buildings, halls, and communal spaces.
Ms Kibbler emphasised the impact the collection has on the students in cultivating artistic culture.
“If you give people the opportunity to (view) art as part of the everyday, they have a greater appreciation,” she said.
“I would hope that would foster support for the arts.
“We need everybody supporting artists, whether that be visual artists, musicians or performers.”
This sentiment is echoed by the Hazelhurst Arts Centre’s comments on the Vision Splendid exhibit.
“The collection… provides a significant opportunity for students, professionals, and academic staff, to access and engage with contemporary art,” Hazelhurst’s media said.
The exhibit comes as a result of the partnership between Hazelhurst and UOW which also sees a select group of graduates exhibiting their work for the annual Vital Signs exhibition. The graduates are offered the chance to earn temporary studio residency and an internship at the gallery.
Whilst working with the University to organise these events, Ms Kibbler was exposed to the art housed by the University.
“Since 2015, I’ve been making regular trips to the University,” Ms Kibbler said.
“Over that time, I would start seeing a lot of the works from the university’s collection in the corridors and the offices.”
The Vision Splendid exhibit will run until June 18.
Image: The Vision Splendid exhibit at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre