The Unfair
Divide: Why
Perth Needs a National Gallery Annex
The vastness of Australia often translates into significant
geographical disparities, and nowhere is this more acutely felt than in the
realm of cultural access. For Western Australian artists, curators, and the
general populace, the absence of a National Gallery of Australia (NGA) annex in
Perth represents a profound inequality. While travelling exhibitions offer
glimpses of the national collection, they are insufficient to foster the deep,
sustained engagement with world-class art that is vital for cultural enrichment
and artistic growth. A permanent collection of significant national artworks in
Perth is not merely desirable; it is an urgent and necessary step towards true
cultural equity.
At the heart of this inequity lies the undeniable
geographical reality. The National Gallery of Australia, located in Canberra,
is thousands of kilometres away from Perth. This immense distance creates a
substantial barrier for most Western Australians, transforming what should be a
national asset accessible to all into a distant privilege for those who can
afford the considerable time and expense of travel. This physical isolation
directly impacts the vibrant cultural landscape of Western Australia, depriving
its inhabitants of the regular, direct interaction with the nation's artistic
heritage that their East Coast counterparts enjoy.
The implications for Western Australian artists are
particularly severe. Like Picasso and Cézanne, who honed their craft by
studying the masterpieces of the Louvre, contemporary artists thrive on direct
exposure to and immersion in significant works of art. These are not merely
objects to be admired; they are lessons in technique, history, and artistic
evolution. Relying solely on digital reproductions or fleeting travelling
exhibitions, which often feature a limited selection and rarely include the most
iconic or fragile pieces, deprives Western Australian artists of this crucial
educational and inspirational resource. It can hinder their artistic
development, limit their perspectives, and create a sense of being on the
periphery of the national artistic conversation.
For curators and cultural institutions in Western
Australia, the absence of a permanent national annex also presents considerable
challenges. While programs like "Sharing the National Collection" are
commendable efforts by the NGA to broaden access through long-term loans, the
most valuable, fragile, or frequently requested works remain largely in
Canberra. This limits the scope of exhibitions that can be mounted in Perth,
reducing opportunities for deeper scholarly engagement, collaborative programming,
and the development of unique Western Australian narratives around the national
collection. Apparently, it also places an undue burden on local institutions to
meet stringent loan requirements without the inherent benefits of being a
direct branch of the national institution.
Beyond the professional sphere, the general public in
Western Australia suffers from this lack of direct access. A national gallery
is more than a repository of art; it is the cultural heart of Australian and
not just the eastern states and it is a public space for learning,
contemplation, and the fostering of a shared cultural identity. It connects
citizens to their nation's history and creativity. When such a vital
institution is physically out of reach, it diminishes the sense of ownership
and connection to Australia's cultural heritage for an entire state. It can
lead to a perception that art is an elitist pursuit, rather than a universal
right that enriches the lives of all.
Therefore, the establishment of an NGA annex in Perth is an
urgent and necessary solution. Such an annex would not diminish the
significance of the main Canberra gallery but would rather extend its reach and
truly embody the "national" in its name. It would signify a
commitment to cultural decentralization and equity, ensuring that a
representative and rotating collection of world-class artworks is consistently
available to Western Australians. This permanent presence would provide
invaluable educational and inspirational resources, stimulate the local arts
economy, and, most importantly, bridge the geographical divide, allowing all
Australians to connect meaningfully with their shared artistic legacy. The time
for this vital investment in Australia's cultural future is now.
Peter Davidson
