Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairwoman Pye Augustine, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, and Director of the Ipswich Art Gallery Claire Sourgnes in front of Rothko’s 1957 #20 oil. Photo LYLE RADFORD
A PAINTING by celebrated US artist Mark Rothko, valued at $116 million, is now on display at the Ipswich Art Gallery after a loan from the National Gallery of Australia.
The loan, along with works by Agnes Martin and Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, comes as part of the Federal Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.
“We are honoured to be chosen to exhibit the works of respected expressionists Rothko and Martin, as well as Ipswich’s own internationally renowned ceramic artist Hanssen Pigott,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said.
Hanssen Pigott lived and worked in Ipswich in a career spanning more than 60 years.
Arriving Slowly: Exploring the Abstract is an exhibition of contemporary abstract art, which sits alongside the long-term loans from Canberra.
Economic and Cultural Development Committee Chairwoman Pye Augustine said the long-terms loan and abstract exhibition were “a wonderful feather in the cap for Ipswich and also … [would] allow thousands of young Ipswich school children to view and learn about art and abstract expressionism, right here in their home city”.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said he was excited to see the works of art on display in Ipswich, including Rothko’s 1957 #20 oil-on-canvas.
“Our local regional galleries punch above their weight in terms of providing access to exceptional art and artistic experiences to their local communities,” Mr Neumann said.
“Sharing the National Collection with the Ipswich Art Gallery exposes more people to world-renowned works of art that would not be available at a local level.”
Rothko (1903-1970) created a new form of abstract painting characterised by large areas of colour, often with soft-edged rectangles layered on top.
Two Agnes Martin paintings, Untitled III and Untitled #8, each valued at more than $20 million, will also feature in the exhibition.
Martin (1912-2004) is considered a major figure in postwar American abstraction and an iconic 20th century artist.
The Arriving Slowly exhibition includes the work of Ipswich artists, Lincoln Austin, Leonard Brown and Ian Friend, alongside artists from across Australia.
The National Gallery loans will be at the gallery until November 10, 2026, while Arriving Slowly is on until February 16, 2025.
The Ipswich Art Gallery in d’Arcy Doyle Place in Ipswich Central is open every day, 10am to 5pm, except public holidays.
