The art collection began with a bequest in 1931 to Rockhampton City from the estate of a Rockhampton resident, Mr E. C. Tomkins, of a family portrait formerly attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds (recent research now pinpoints Francis Lemuel Abbott (c.1760-1802) as the artist). By the end of the 1970s the Gallery had developed an impressive foundation collection of around 300 Australian modern paintings, sculpture and works on paper including paintings by famous Australian artists: Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, John Brack, Rupert Bunny, Russell Drysdale, Jeffrey Smart and Fred Williams.
Over the years, each of the Gallery's Managers has sought to develop a sound collection of Australian art. Through the Gallery Trust, Councillors and other supporters in the community, the Gallery has received a significant number of bequests and gifts of art work from interested collectors, donors and artists as well as from corporations, including our region's Sister City in Japan (Ibusuki), and the Friends of the Rockhampton Art Gallery.
In 2009, the Collection comprised around 1,500 objects, including a significant Australian collection, an enviable Japanese collection as well as ceramics, glass and textile pieces.
Central Queensland has a community which comprises of many different cultures, including a growing Indigenous population. To reflect this, the Gallery looks for opportunities to add the works of artists who have made contributions, not only to art in Australia, but also to other cultures of relevance to our community.
In recent years the Gallery has gathered a strong collection of contemporary art and has acquired significant contemporary Australian paintings by nationally recognised artists: Lawrence Daws, Shane Pickett and William Robinson. The Gallery has also added works by artists with strong links to Central Queensland who were either born, or at some time have been residing in our region. These artists include: Ben Wickham, Adrienne Fleming, Davida Allen, Carmen Beezley-Drake, Shane Fitzgerald, Peter Gunn, Peter Indans, Rita Kershaw, Max Lovell, Fiona MacDonald, Del Nash, Luke Roberts and William Yaxley.
the collection |
Portrait of Dr Francis Robert Tomkins
Lemuel Francis Abbott
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Lantana
Richard Dunlop
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Geisha's semi-formal kimono (homongi),
Japanese Maker
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Samurai suit of armour
Japanese Maker
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Goat and Rhododendron
Lionel Lindsay
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Trip down Beaufort
Glenn Pilkington
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Bottle
Reg Preston
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Autumn flowers and grasses
Rinpa School
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Stemming the rush
Hugh Sawrey
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Proscinemi, Tiryns
Joe Tilson
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