24 January 2019

The Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is excited to announce a major new acquisition by one of Australia’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, Ben Quilty.

A portrait painter, and winner of the 2011 Archibald Prize, Quilty is recognised for his work with Australian soldiers and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), through his work as an official war artist in Afghanistan, and his campaign to save the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran of the Bali Nine.

Working here in a different medium, the four newly acquired porcelain jugs continue Quilty’s exploration of psychological states. The series of highly glazed slipcase ceramics are based on Victorian Toby jugs, or the more modern Character Jugs, depicting the head and shoulders of a figure. Quilty creates a series of psychologically charged portraits in these Victorian domestic vessels.

The first in the series of these ceramic portraits Conscript (Private Phil Butler) was purchased in 2016 with the assistance of the Friends of SAM.

SAM Director, Rebecca Coates said “Quilty has long been a champion of the role of regional galleries and art museums and their significance for communities near and far. As such, the artist has this year generously donated the remaining four jugs in the series to SAM through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.”

Now reunited, Jug (Lloydy), Jug (Nose), Jug (Leonardo), and Scream after Leonardo have joined Conscript (Private Phil Butler) on display at SAM until 5 May. Come in to SAM and check out these amazing porcelain portraits.