Sharing the National Collection: Warhol for Western Australia

More than 50 works from the master of pop art Andy Warhol will travel to the Wanneroo Regional Gallery in Perth as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.

The Warhols heading west will be on loan from the National Gallery of Australia for two years, in the largest partnership to date under Sharing the National Collection. 

The artworks, which have a combined value of $148 million, include:

• Warhol’s iconic life-size painting Elvis 1963
• Portraits from Artists and Photographs (Self portrait) 1970
• Campbell's Soup I portfolio, 1968

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said it was fantastic to see pieces from the national collection make their way to the west.

"With Revive – Australia’s new National Cultural Policy – the Government decided that instead of having some of the National Gallery’s best works kept in storage where no one could see them, we’d start sharing them with galleries all around the country.

"I'm really pleased that we’re doing that for the Wanneroo Regional Gallery, and it doesn’t get much bigger than Andy Warhol.

"Sharing the National Collection with the whole nation is so important, and now one of our most valuable collections is on its way to the west.”

Member for Pearce, Tracey Roberts said having these works in Wanneroo is wonderful news.

“The West Australian community will be very excited to have the opportunity to see this exhibition.

“For the first time in the history of the National Gallery, the Albanese Government has made sure our National Collection doesn’t just remain in Canberra.

“It’s great that the National Collection will be exhibited in our local community at the Wanneroo Regional Gallery.”

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.

Director of the National Gallery of Australia, Dr Nick Mitzevich said the Expression of Interest received from Wanneroo was the very first to be registered under the Sharing the National Collection initiative when the program opened in July.

"This loan partnership represents how truly national this program is and how determined we are to see this collection put to work.

"Andy Warhol’s iconic painting Elvis together with screenprints of Campbell’s soup cans, celebrities, rockstars, electric chairs and flowers will be seen by a whole new generation of audiences on the west coast.

"What a tremendous opportunity this program provides.”

Mayor of Wanneroo Linda Aitken said the announcement recognised the importance of regional galleries.

“What an incredible honour it is to host Andy Warhol’s iconic artworks at the Wanneroo Regional Gallery through our partnership with the National Gallery of Australia and their Sharing the National Collection initiative.”

"The collaboration recognises our world-class gallery in the City of Wanneroo and provides people from across the region with unprecedented access to renowned works by one of the most influential artists of the 20th century,” she said.

"Gifting people opportunities to experience significant art in their own area can ignite appreciation for art and culture and help foster the development of new creatives, new ideas and future arts professionals.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity and thank the Australian Government and National Gallery of Australia for their support.”

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

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