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