2007-08 Report

CHAIR’S OVERVIEW

QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08 9

CHAIR'S OVERVIEW

I am delighted to present my first report as Chair of the

Board of Trustees.

In doing so, I acknowledge my predecessor, Wayne Goss,

who served as Chair from 1999 until February 2008.

Mr Goss played a significant role in the development of

the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) and the ongoing

development of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary

Art (APT) series. I thank Wayne, on behalf of the Trustees,

management and staff, for his contribution to the work of

the Trustees, and the Gallery's achievements during a

critical period in its history.

Since the Gallery became a two-site institution in

December 2006, the focus has been to maintain and

develop attendances and profile, and to capitalise on the

opportunities afforded by national and international

interest in the Gallery and its programs.

The 2007–08 program has presented a series of major

exhibitions, international exhibitions exclusive to

Queensland, and national touring exhibitions, as well as

displays and exhibitions of works from the Gallery's

Collection. The programs of the Australian Cinémathèque

and the Children's Art Centre, the publishing program,

travelling exhibitions, and the educational and

interpretative programs were integral to the year's success.

A highlight of the year, and a major achievement since

GoMA opened, was the presentation of back-to-back

exhibitions by two of the greatest artists of the twentieth

century — first Andy Warhol and, more recently, Pablo

Picasso. The exhibitions were of outstanding quality and

exclusive to Brisbane. Both have increased the Gallery's

profile as a cultural tourism destination for regional,

interstate and international visitors, and have demonstrated

the scope and potential for future programming.

The 2007–08 program has ensured that the vigour and

momentum following GoMA's opening has been sustained

and indeed grown. In the past year, 541 226 visitors have

visited the Queensland Art Gallery and 763 214 have

visited GoMA. Attendances for Warhol achieved record

levels for a paid exhibition at the Gallery, with more than

232 000 visitors.

I wish to commend new Director Tony Ellwood on the

exceptional achievements of his first year, and for his

leadership of the staff during this dynamic period of

consolidation and growth. On behalf of the Trustees,

I acknowledge the Executive Management Team and

staff for their contribution and their commitment to a

demanding and highly successful program. I also thank

the outgoing Trustees for their commitment and contribution,

and welcome our new Trustees. Deputy Chair of Trustees,

Tim Fairfax,

, is also the new President of the Gallery's

Foundation and I acknowledge and thank him and Gina

Fairfax for their outstanding and generous support of

the Gallery.

The year’s achievements would not be possible without

the enormous contribution provided by many levels of

government. On behalf of the Trustees, management and

staff, I gratefully acknowledge and thank the Queensland

Government. My sincere thanks to the Honourable Anna

Bligh,

, Premier of Queensland; the Honourable Rod

Welford,

, Minister for Education and Training and

Minister for the Arts; and the Honourable Desley Boyle,

, Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and

Industry. My thanks also to Rachel Hunter, Director-

General, Department of Education, Training and the Arts;

Leigh Tabrett, Deputy Director-General, Arts Queensland,

and the supportive staff of Arts Queensland. Thanks also

to the Australian Government, the Department of the

Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the

Australia Council for the Arts.

The year's activities have been assisted by many

collaborators, partners and supporters. 'Andy Warhol' was

organised with The Andy Warhol Museum, one of the four

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and its Principal

Partners were Santos and Queensland Events Corporation.

'Picasso & his collection' was organised by the musée

national Picasso, Paris, in association with the

Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia

(AEA). The Gallery has worked with AEA on major

exhibitions previously and we look forward to future

projects together. 'Picasso & his collection' was presented

by Queensland Events Corporation; its Principal Sponsor

was Mazda Australia and its Principal Donor was

Singapore Airlines. The Gallery enjoyed an unprecedented

level of support from corporate and media partners and

sponsors this year, and from individual donors. We thank

all our partners and supporters for their extraordinary

contributions.

The Gallery also enjoyed and benefited from strategic

collaboration and cooperative marketing with the tourism

sector, and I would like to acknowledge and thank

Tourism Queensland and Brisbane Marketing for their

engagement and support.

Finally, thank you to the Gallery management and staff

with whom I've had the pleasure of working this year in

my first term as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

I trust you will enjoy reading about the Gallery's

achievements during 2007–08.

Professor John Hay,

Chair, Board of Trustees

Members of the Queensland Art

Gallery Board of Trustees.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

David Williams

Tim Fairfax,

(Deputy Chair)

Amanda Bell

Professor John Hay,

(Chair)

Avril Quaill

John Lobban

David Millhouse

NOT PICTURED:

Mark Gray

OPPOSITE

Michael Parekowhai

New Zealand b.1968

The Horn of Africa

2006

Automotive paint, wood, fibreglass,

steel, brass

395 x 200 x 260cm

Purchased 2008 with funds from the

Queensland Government's Gallery of

Modern Art Acquisitions Fund in

recognition of the contribution to

the Gallery by Wayne Goss (Chair of

Trustees 1999–2008)