The Australiana Fund’s 3rd Narratives of Nations Symposium
Symposium Bookings have been suspended pending a rescheduling of this event.
The Symposium ticket includes refreshments and lunch.
For the full details please refer to the separate programme information
9:30am Registration commences
10:00am 3rd Narratives of Nations Symposium commences
This year, to coincide with the major exhibition at Canberra Museum & Gallery our theme is Australian Timbers. Topics and guest speakers will include:
Australian Timbers and Cabinetmaking, with specific reference to examples in The Australiana Fund Collection. Presented by John McPhee, the inaugural Director of Fine Arts for the Australiana Fund and Fine Art Advisor to the Committee on Official Establishments, 1978-1979, and the inaugural Curator of Australian Decorative Arts and Senior Curator of Australian art, at the National Gallery of Australia, 1980-1992.
Ruth Lane-Poole: A Woman of Influence by Margaret Betteridge, Fine Arts Advisor to the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and Honorary Fine Art Advisor to The Australiana Fund (1986-1993). Since 1993, she has worked as a heritage consultant. Most recently she has curated the upcoming exhibition Ruth Lane-Poole: A Woman of Influence at Canberra Museum & Gallery.
Dr Andrew Montana, senior research fellow with the Australian National University specialising in the art and design of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, will talk about W. H. Rocke & Co. Established in Melbourne in the 1860s, W. H. Rocke & Co. was Victoria's largest and most successful furniture manufactures, and often crafted stylish, impressive and expensive furniture to showcase Australian timbers for international exhibitions in Australia and London. This quality firm worked until the early 1930s and was responsible for some of the cabinetry and upholstery work of Canberra's official residences under the direction of Ruth Lane-Poole, and for (old) Parliament House during the 1920s.
Ruth Lane-Poole’s influence on Australian Interior Design by Catriona Quinn, former curator at Sydney Living Museums, best known for her expertise in 20th century Australian interior design and decoration.
The Significance and History of The Australiana Fund’s recent acquisition, The Munro Ferguson Timber Library by Jennifer Sanders, currently Chair of The Australiana Fund. Former Deputy Director at the Powerhouse Museum (2001–2009), after rising from curator in 1978 to senior curator, decorative arts & design, and Assistant Director Collections in 1988.
Symposium concludes.
2.30pm: Viewing of National Library of Australia exhibitions: Treasures Gallery & A Nation Imagined: the Picturesque Atlas of Australia. Alternatively, conduct your own ‘at leisure’ visits to NPG, NGA, National Archives, Museum of Australiana Democracy at Old Parliament House (MOAD).