Sharing the National Collection: Two works return to their old home in Bowral

Two works by Australian artists Charles Blackman and Russell Drysdale will adorn the walls of National Trust-listed estate Retford Park in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.

The countrywoman (1946) by Drysdale and The anteroom (1963) by Blackman will be on loan from the National Gallery of Australia for two years from the beginning of November.

Located just outside Bowral, Retford Park was built in 1887 by prominent Sydney architect Albert Bond, with the heritage house and grounds now home to an impressive collection of artworks and sculptures.

The two paintings were originally housed in Retford Park until their generous donation to the National Gallery’s collection by the late arts patron and philanthropist, James Fairfax AC.

The loan will bring the artworks out of storage and give visitors to Retford Park the chance to once again view them in the unique setting of their old home.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the loan was an opportunity to highlight exceptional but lesser known works within the National Collection and share them with communities for whom they hold special significance.

“The National Collection holds over 155,000 artworks of great beauty and cultural value, but at any one time 98 per cent of it is in storage.

“The Sharing the National Collection initiative gives more Australians the chance to see works by artists whose names they may be familiar with but whose work they perhaps haven’t yet had a chance to see.

“Thanks to the great legacy of James Fairfax, these two significant artworks belong to the Australian people – and it’s fantastic to see them return home to Retford Park for the next two years.”

Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones said the two artworks will draw additional visitors to Retford Park and enrich the estate’s existing collection. 
“I am pleased these two artworks lent by James Fairfax AC to the National Collection will now return to Retford Park for two years.

“Mr Fairfax believed Retford Park should be preserved for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations, and I have no doubt these two artworks will attract more locals and visitors to the Portuguese Pink mansion in Bowral.”

National Gallery Director Dr Nick Mitzevich said, “A generous supporter of the National Gallery, the late James Fairfax AC’s extraordinary cultural leadership, erudition as a collector, and his deep feeling for Australian art, is demonstrated by the works he chose to gift to the national collection.

“Fairfax donated works by renowned Australian artists Charles Blackman and Russell Drysdale which we now have the great pleasure of lending to the Southern Highlands of NSW through this partnership with Retford Park.”

Debbie Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust said, “James Fairfax AC was a great patron of the arts and a passionate supporter of the National Gallery of Australia, so it is fitting that these works will soon hang proudly on the walls of his former home once again.
“We thank the National Gallery for generously granting this loan through the Sharing the National Collection initiative.

“We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy these special artworks; two fabulous additions to the incredible collection of 16th, 17th and 18th Century fine art, furniture and textiles already on display at Retford Park.” 

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 Drysdale and Blackman works can be viewed via the National Gallery’s website. 

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