Sharing the National Collection: Tiny Texas gallery to host Jan Brown works

Five bronze sculptures by Australian artist Jan Brown will travel to Texas Regional Gallery in rural southeast Queensland as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program. 

Locals and visitors to Texas will be able to enjoy Brown’s striking sculptures of native birds, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia for two years from the 23rd of March 2024. 

The works, which reflect the artist’s love of birds arising from her long life in the bush capital, Canberra, include: Carnage 1978, Fat bird 1989, Small Magpie 2005, Adolescent 1994, and Walking bird 2006.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said it was fantastic to see pieces from the national collection make their way out of storage to smaller galleries in rural and remote Australia. 

“This is exactly what Sharing the National Collection is all about – getting artworks out of storage in Canberra and into galleries around the country, no matter how small.

“At any time 98 per cent of the National Gallery’s collection is in storage.

“We want those artworks to be enjoyed by Australians, regardless of where they live.” 

Senator for Queensland, Nita Green, welcomed the new additions to the gallery.

“Regional Queenslanders are as enriched and appreciative of art as those who live in the big cities. 

“Through the Sharing the National Collection initiative regional Queenslanders can see wonderful artworks at home without having to travel.

“I am pleased that Texas will be able to enjoy these artworks from a fantastic Australian artist, Jan Brown.” 

National Gallery Director Dr Nick Mitzevich said this partnership builds on the National Gallery’s gender equity initiative ‘Know My Name’.

“This partnership with Texas Regional Gallery highlights the breadth of work by Australia’s women artists in the national collection. 

“Through the Sharing the National Collection initiative, visitors to regional Queensland have an opportunity to know the name and experience the art of a significant but lesser-known woman artist,’ said Mitzevich.

David Hayward, a representative for Goondiwindi Regional Council said this will be an exciting cultural experience for the Texas Regional Gallery. 

“Although we are a small regional gallery, our committee is always looking for opportunities to expand cultural experiences for our community. 

“The National Gallery’s Sharing the National Collection initiative provides an opportunity for regional communities such as Texas to experience significant works by renowned artists. 

“We look forward to hosting the collection of small bronze sculptures by Australian artist Jan Brown.”

Images of the sculptures can be found at the National Gallery’s website.

Other galleries can register their expressions of interest via this link. 

Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy, with $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transportation, installation, and insurance of works from the national collection.