Michael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last week my wife Amanda and I had the privilege of attending the opening of the new gallery of Japanese art at the National Gallery of Victoria. The refurbished gallery is dedicated to exhibiting the unique aspects of Japanese art. NGV director Tony Ellwood said:

Much of this collection will be on display for the first time as part of the opening exhibit, along with highlights from the exquisite Pauline Gandel Collection of Japanese lacquer.

In fact, the new gallery was made possible by philanthropic donations—the great philanthropy of Pauline Gandel in particular.

Eighteen months in the making, the new gallery has been designed in historically chronological and themed sections to display the mastery of Japanese craftsmanship and creativity. The curator of Asian art at the NGV, Wayne Crothers, said the gallery will usher in a new age of appreciation for the past, present and future of Japanese culture in Melbourne. He said:

The gallery is designed to create a unique experience for the visitor by using natural materials, warm colours and a minimal aesthetic. Several traditional Japanese interior features, including a tatami matted area for viewing scrolls and a recessed ceiling with shoji lattice screens will evoke the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese space.

Some of the highlights in the opening display include an historical Buddhist sculpture, a large mandala, Noh theatre robes and masks, fine porcelain, a noble samurai helmet and golden folding screens.

Attending the exhibition was not only an opportunity to thank Mrs Gandel for her philanthropy but also an opportunity to bid farewell to Shigekazu Sato, the Japanese Ambassador to Australia, after completing two years— (Time expired)

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