SAM bequeathed significant private ceramics collection
28 November 2024
Dr. Michael Elliott bequeaths private ceramics collection to Shepparton Art Museum.
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to announce the bequest of a significant private collection of ceramics from Dr. Michael Elliott. The bequest grows SAM’s already significant collection of Australian ceramics, and builds the representation of international artists in the collection.
Consisting of 198 ceramic artworks, the bequest includes an extensive list of acclaimed artists currently represented in the SAM Collection, including Stephen Benwell, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, Milton Moon AM, Vipoo Srivilasa, and Greg Daly, alongside 28 artists not yet represented in the SAM Collection, including Enrique Tochez Anderson, Barbara Swarbrick, and Dawn Ngala Wheeler.
Built over the course of 50 years, Dr. Elliott’s collection reflects his passion for the arts and for artists. As a young collector, Dr. Elliott purchased pieces by local Melbourne studio potters, whom he would go on to develop personal relationships with. Over decades, Dr. Elliott’s collection has grown to encompass Australian and international ceramics, capturing trends within the field that tell fascinating stories of the evolution of studio pottery and ceramic practice.
The bequest from Dr. Elliott to SAM ensures that the gift of this significant collection can be preserved and shared with Australian audiences of today and of the future, increasing the scale of the portrait SAM is able to paint of Australian and internation ceramic practice through its collection.
Danny Lacy, SAM Artistic Director, says of the acquisition:
“This extraordinary bequest from Dr. Elliott is a rare and generous gift, which SAM is privileged to accept. Michael’s relationship with each artwork in his collection is deeply personal, often having acquired the work directly from the artists, who were also his friends. This collection is living, and full of warmth — we hope that whenever these objects are out on display, we can convey to our visitors Michael’s joy of collecting and of being surrounded by these artworks. With the growth of representation of artists in our collection, this acquisition expands our storytelling capacity to truly reflect practices and trends of Australian and international ceramic artists.”
A selection of works from the bequest can now be viewed at Shepparton Art Museum in the museum’s ceramics showcase on Level 3.
Featured image: SAM Artistic Director Danny Lacy and Dr. Michael Elliott. Photo: Michael Pham
2024 SAM Spotlight artist Carmel Robertson to present new solo exhibition
13 November 2024
New solo exhibition from artist Carmel Robertson to open in Shepparton Art Museum’s Community Gallery on 23 November 2024.
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to present a new solo exhibition from local artist Carmel Robertson in the museum’s Hugh D.T Williamson Community Gallery on 23 November.
Presenting the exhibition as the 2024 SAM Spotlight artist, Wish you were here features a new series of Robertson’s oil paintings depicting the landscapes and landmarks of Shepparton. An emerging figurative painter based in the Goulburn Valley, Robertson previously worked as an arts educator in the region before dedicating herself fully to her creative practice in her retirement. Robertson has since developed a distinctive style that reflects both her personal experience and unique artistic voice.
Created over the past 12 months, Robertson’s paintings dip lightly into surrealism to reimagine the sights of Shepparton. Through subtle manipulations, Robertson distorts the town’s familiar buildings and streets, offering a personal commentary on Shepparton as a transitory space rather than a tourist destination. Through her depiction of empty streets, vacant lots at night, alleys and concealed pathways at dawn or dusk, Robertson emphasises the region’s transient nature while dissolving the boundary between the real and the unreal.
Caroline Esbenshade, SAM Curator - Community says of Robertson’s exhibition:
“Carmel Robertson has created an engaging body of work, which we are thrilled to share at SAM for the first time. Robertson’s oil paintings are moody, dreamlike, and infuse very familiar scenery from our town with a touch of the unknown. This exhibition will resonate with locals particularly, who will enjoy seeing our landscape through a new lens, and I’m excited to hear the reflections it draws out of people over its duration.”
An exhibition opening event will be held at SAM on Saturday 23 November at 2.30pm, and will include a conversation between Carmel Robertson and Caroline Esbenshade. Registrations to the free event can be made via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/exhibition-opening-or-carmel-robertson-wish-you-were-here
Wish you were here will be on display at SAM in the Hugh D.T. Williamson Community Gallery from 23 November 2024 to 2 March 2025.
ENDS
About the artist:
Carmel Robertson has resided in Shepparton, Victoria for the past 35 years. In that time, she had a 22-year career in education, teaching art and photography at Notre Dame College. After completing studies at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney in 2016-17, Robertson started painting full time. She has exhibited in group shows locally, including past SAM Community Gallery exhibitions, and presented a solo exhibition at the Euroa Butter Factory in 2022.
Featured image: Carmel Robertson, Two Hotels on High Street, 2024. © Carmel Robertson
