Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Warwick Gallery Borrows Bronze from National Collection
A stunning bronze sculpture will go on loan from the National Gallery of Australia to Warwick Art Gallery in Queensland thanks to the Albanese Labor Government's Sharing the National Collection program.
The sculpture, Cloud B#3, was created by Beijing born artist Guan Wei who settled in Australia in 1993 producing his large-scale paintings and sculptures out of his Sydney studio.
The work will be exhibited in Warwick Art Gallery, in the Southern Downs region of Queensland, for two years alongside the gallery's permanent collection.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the initiative was creating unique experiences for art lovers.
"The national collection belongs to the entire nation, not just to Canberra.
"At any point 98 per cent of our national collection is held in storage. Over a million people have now had the chance to see a part of the national collection - that's usually hidden away - because of the Sharing the National Collection program."
Director of the National Gallery, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said it was wonderful to partner with Warwick Art Gallery to bring this work to regional Queensland.
"The Sharing the National Collection program offers a valuable opportunity to bring thought provoking contemporary art by Australian and international artists to regional communities across Australia.
"Artist Guan Wei is known for his distinct iconography blending his Chinese cultural heritage with Australian symbolism, and we're proud to share his striking bronze sculpture Cloud B#3 with the Warwick community over the next two years."
Warwick Art Gallery Director, Karina Devine, says Guan Wei's Cloud B#3 from the National Collection will be profoundly impactful for the Southern Downs community.
"This loan offers rare access to a major contemporary artwork by an artist whose own story of resilience adds depth and relevance to our regional context. Its uplifting sense of positivity and gentle whimsy will spark curiosity, joy, and conversation, enriching our cultural landscape in meaningful ways."
Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia's national cultural policy. The program has provided $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen right across the country.
Regional and suburban galleries can register their interest in the loan program here.
An image of the sculpture and its attribution can be found here.
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/sharing-national-collection-warwick-art-gallery-borrows-bronze
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