16 November 2010

The popular Sam Jinks Woman and child sculpture has a new home in the Shepparton Art Gallery Collection after Greater Shepparton City Council agreed to contribute the remaining funds for the purchase.

More than 17,000 people viewed the sculpture as part of a recent exhibition at the gallery. Council purchased the sculpture for $75,000 with community donations, a gift from Karen Woodbury Gallery and funds from Council and the Shepparton Art Gallery's acquisition investment fund.

Shepparton Art Gallery Advisory Committee Chairperson, Councillor Michael Polan said the purchase was a real coup for Council and for the arts in the region.

"From the first day of the exhibition we knew we were on to something big and it has been so good to see so many people from Greater Shepparton and beyond visit the gallery to see the sculpture and to see the rest of the gallery at the same time," Cr Polan said.

"An opportunity like this doesn't come along every day and I thank the community, the Gallery Advisory Committee and the Gallery staff for working so hard to secure this piece."

"This has shown what an impact art can have on our lives and there is no doubt the sculpture will be a drawcard for locals and visitors alike for a long time to come."

The work is not currently on display as the gallery is preparing for the flagship 2010 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award exhibition which will open on 27 November through to 6 February next year.

The Shepparton Art Gallery will then close until August for a major $1.5 million refurbishment and rebranding. Discussions are currently underway about ways to feature the sculpture as part of the new look facility and there has already been some interest in touring the piece from other regional galleries.

The Shepparton Art Gallery is a Greater Shepparton City Council facility.

The sculpture is currently not on display. Woman and child will feature in an exhibition of Sam's work at Gippsland Art Gallery from 12 February to 20 March 2011.