48 49 ARTLINES 3 | 2025 The Neilson Foundation In 2021, the Neilson Foundation supported the acquisition of a remarkable group of 45 culturally and historically significant Queensland Aboriginal painted shields, some more than 130 years old and including 24 rare Gulmari (also Goomeri, Gulmardi) shields from south-eastern and south-central Queensland, shields from western and central Queensland, nine north-eastern Rainforest shields of the Yidinji and nine shields originating from various regions across the state, including Cherbourg, Mornington Island and the Wik lands. The Neilson Foundation has further contributed to Australia’s cultural landscape through their leading support in the presentation of five comprehensive survey exhibitions profiling major Australian artists, including three senior Queensland First Nations artists, and the most recent edition of QAGOMA’s flagship exhibition series, the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. At the height of the pandemic, the Neilson Foundation supported the creation of two major QAGOMA Learning initiatives. ‘Outside the Lines: A QAGOMA Kids Podcast about Art’, presented through Kinderling Kids Radio, gave children access to some of Australia’s most inspiring local and regional artists while they were unable to visit galleries and museums in person. Over ten episodes, Collection artists Angela Tiatia, Ben Quilty, d harding, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Gemma Smith, Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan, Jemima Wyman, Raquel Ormella, Ross Manning and Tony Albert shared their ideas about creativity, the importance of art in their lives and practical artmaking tips for children. In 2022, Georgia Walsh (Badtjala people) was appointed as the Gallery’s first-ever Regional Liaison Officer. Georgia works across the QAGOMA Learning team’s portfolios of Access, Education and Regional Services, including the delivery of ‘Design Tracks’ residencies for Indigenous Australian secondary students from across Queensland and the ‘Art as Exchange’ program. ‘Art as Exchange’ is a unique program delivered on Country with local Elders, working with artists and educators, community and health workers, and regional gallery and museum staff. Through substantial philanthropic support over the last decade, the Neilson Foundation has enabled QAGOMA to deliver major First Nations programs and projects. It has transformed the Gallery’s ability to present major public artworks, to stage innovative exhibitions, and to facilitate community engagement with the arts through educational programming, all significantly enriching Queensland and Australia’s cultural landscape. Caitlin Morgan is Bequest and Communications Officer, QAGOMA Foundation. Above, clockwise from top left A render of Tony Albert and Nell’s play sculpture The BIG HOSE / Image: QAGOMA; inside the exhibition ‘Margaret Olley: A Generous Life’, GOMA, July 2019 / Photograph: Joe Ruckli; Regional Liason Officer Georga Walsh during Design Tracks FNQ, Cairns, August 2022 / Photograph: Merinda Campbell; and Indjalandji/Alyawarr artist Shirley Macnamara at the opening of her solo exhibition ‘Dyinala, Nganinya’, QAG, September 2019 / Photograph: Brad Wagner ‘The Neilson Foundation exemplifies trust-based philanthropy. As well as enabling the commission of landmark works of art, they have supported the Gallery to celebrate the artistic and creative contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to deliver on our Reconciliation Action Plan commitments. Their sustained generosity, given without prescription, is extraordinary.’ Chris Saines CNZM, QAGOMA Director Left, from above A view of ‘I, object’ featuring shields by Bama and Murri artists dating to the late 1800s (Purchased 2021 with funds from the Neilson Foundation through the QAGOMA Foundation), GOMA, January 2020 / Photograph: Natasha Harth; and a view of works by Kugu-Uwanh (Putch clan) Elder and artist Mavis Ngallametta in ‘Show me the way to go home’, QAG, 2020 / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon
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