Christopher Allen's article "Money Talks" published July 9 informs us that the departments of Contemporary Art and Australian Art have now merged at the Art Gallery of New South Wales(AGNSW). He describes this as a questionable decision, defining Australian art thus:
"Australian art, as a department within the gallery, is concerned with those periods that are far enough from us to be considered with some historical detachment and a degree of objectivity. It covers everything from the early colonial period to the post-war years up until perhaps 20 or 30 years ago. The 19th and early 20th centuries by now can be discussed in an informed and scholarly manner; more recent generations, and especially when the artists are still living, may still be the subject of disagreements."
It is no surprise that Allen categorises Australian art is this very traditional and staid fashion. I guess the AGNSW has other ideas. I'm off to Sydney to investigate. More to come...
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