Senator Aden Ridgeway
Portfolio: Arts & Sport
| Dated: 17 Jun 2004
Location: Parliament House - Canberra
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Senator Aden Ridgeway speaks on the Parliament House Art Collection |
Senator Ridgeway speaks on the Parliament House Art Collection Parlaiment House Canberra 17 June 2004
Senator RIDGEWAY (New South Wales) (9.39 a.m.) I also want to make a few comments on this motion, given that I have been heavily involved in providing comment on this issue as well as having been critical of some of the recommendations put forward by Mrs Churcher, particularly in respect of the emerging artists program as part of the Parliament House art collection. Whilst it is appreciated that there has been a need to review the way in which the Parliament House art collection is comprised, we also must take into account the intention at the time Parliament House was opened. Philistine views have been expressed by others about what ought to adorn the corridors of Parliament House or what ought to be more available to the public. It seems to me to not be a question of whether politicians ought to appraise the works of artists; I would be more interested in hearing an appraisal from artists about what they think should be in Parliament House.
The fact that we have a parliamentary building that is different from the Old Parliament House down the road reflects a living, vibrant and dynamic democracy. Most of all, it is about being forward looking. I would suggest that, if people are looking for reproductions or even for commissioned works that may well not be reflective of what is a young, vibrant and living democracy, they need only to go down the road to the Old Parliament House or to the War Memorial to acquaint themselves with what is available. People tend to lose sight of the fact that whilst this building may not necessarily be a public galleryand I accept thatthe emerging and young artists program has been crucial to guaranteeing that we have been able to acquire works of many of our talented artists, who are only now being recognised, at very cheap prices. I recall one piece that is sitting around in the ministerial wing, which was originally purchased for some $1,500 and is now valued at $160,000. To have an appreciation we have to look at more than just whether or not we like what is hanging on the walls.
It also goes without saying that it is incumbent upon us to look not just at a very narrow set of pieces adorning the wall that may well fit the personalities of some people in this place. It is more about recognising that the building has to shape and influence what is acquired as part of the artwork. I am sure that similar comments were made in relation to the tapestry that now adorns the Great Hall and the work that led to that. You would not describe that as an Australiana landscape in a traditional or colonial sense, but I think all of us have come to appreciate what it stands for. I would be encouraging the Art Advisory Committee that is to be established to keep in mind that it is a question of looking not just at individual choices but at what we want to represent in our collectionwhich is shaped by our artists and, more particularly, by the design of the building. The building reflects a modern, living and vibrant democracy. That ought to influence it. We should be not looking backwards but be able to look forwards.
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