Sharing the National Collection: Iconic Australian artworks head to Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will welcome works by some of Australia’s leading 20th century artists, as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.

Four works of art will travel to the Fraser Coast region for a period of two years where they will be presented in conversation with pieces from the gallery’s own collection. 

The loaned works include: 

  • Head of a Soldier by Sidney Nolan
  • Landscape Near Berwick by Arthur Boyd
  • Still Life: fruit (Arnhem Land motif) by Margaret Preston 
  • Basket of fruit by John Wardell Power

The works will feature as part of ‘National Interests: Australian Arts in the 20th century’ an exciting new exhibition opening in September.

A number of other works are currently undergoing treatment for display and will be announced as part of the loan in 2025.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the loan created an opportunity for locals to connect with pieces of national significance. 

"Sharing the National Collection gives Australians a chance to see some incredible pieces of art up close and personal - not just in Canberra but at local galleries right across the country.

“This loan is an opportunity to witness some of Australia’s most respected artists of the past 150 years, displayed together, beside one another. 

“At any point in time 98 per cent of the National Galley’s collection is in storage. We don’t buy art so it can live in storage, we buy it so it can be seen and it’s fantastic that these works will make their way out of storage to picturesque Hervey Bay.”

Director of the National Gallery of Australia, Nick Mitzevich, said the program gave regional galleries a chance to connect with locals and visitors in a meaningful way. 

“The Sharing the National Collection initiative provides the opportunity for direct collaboration with regional partners to curate exhibitions that will resonate with local audiences. 

“This partnership will see works by notable 20th century Australian artists such as Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, and Margaret Preston sent to the Fraser Coast in Queensland and presented ‘in conversation’ with the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Art Collection.” 

Fraser Coast Mayor, George Seymour, encouraged locals to check out the new exhibition. 

“This is an incredible opportunity to elevate the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s profile and share these remarkable artworks with residents and visitors. 

“Hervey Bay Regional Gallery has adopted a creative approach to the Sharing the National Collection initiative by pairing works from some of the most renowned names in Australian art history with pieces from the gallery’s own collection.

“This exhibition will provide students in the region with a unique opportunity to learn about Australian art history—not through screens or by travelling to a capital city, but right here in their own backyard.”

Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy, with $11.8 million 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.

Regional galleries can register their interest in the loan scheme here.

Works can be viewed via the National Gallery’s website here.