The Sharing the National Collection initiative continues with loans to 2 more Griffith Regional Gallery and Retford Park near Bowral.

Viliama Grakalic, The cage, 1979, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, crafts Board Collection donated by the Australia Council 1982.
Viliama Grakalic, The cage, 1979, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, crafts Board Collection donated by the Australia Council 1982.

Two loans through the Sharing the National Collection initiative have commenced with Griffith Regional Gallery and Retford Park historic homestead in Bowral both benefitting from the scheme.

For the next 2 years a stunning display of almost 40 pieces of Australian contemporary jewellery will travel to Griffith Regional Art Gallery. The loan includes brooches, rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and more created by a variety of Australian artists from the 1970s to the 2010s. The display will complement a selection of works from Griffith Gallery's own collection and coincides with the opening of the National Contemporary Jewellery Awards on 8 November 2024.

A further 2 works by Australian artists Charles Blackman and Russell Drysdale will be on display at Retford Park in New South Wales' Southern Highlands. The countrywoman, 1946, by Drysdale and The anteroom, 1963, by Blackman will be on loan from the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) for 2 years from the beginning of November.

Located just outside Bowral, Retford Park was built in 1887 by prominent Sydney architect Albert Bond, with the heritage house and grounds now home to an impressive collection of artworks and sculptures. The paintings were originally housed in Retford Park until their generous donation to the NGA's collection by the late arts patron and philanthropist, James Fairfax AC. The loan will bring the artworks out of storage and give visitors to Retford Park the chance to once again view them in the unique setting of their old home.

Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia's new national cultural policy, with $11.8 million over 4 years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen across the country for extended periods.

The works can be viewed via the NGA's Search the Collection function.

Regional and suburban galleries can register their expressions of interest in the loan scheme on the NGA's website.