Oral History of the University - Dr Margriet Bonnin Inteviewed by Patience Thoms
Dr Margriet Bonnin
1978 - 1998
In 1978 Dr Margriet Bonnin was appointed Co-ordinator of the Queensland Film and Drama Centre (QFDC). The aim of the QFDC was to "bring together the many different elements of the University community into a productive relationship which would promote film, drama and the visual arts in Queensland."
Bonnin oversaw the transformation from the QFDC to Griffith Artworks in the late 1980s and delivered significant community programs and the acquisition of many works in the Collection. During her tenure, the Collection became well known for its holdings of political posters, works on paper, and what is now the one of the country’s foremost collections of early É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n video art.
Overseeing the start of the On Campus Exhibition Program, Bonnin ensured works in the Collection could be both appreciated and preserved. Staff curated artworks to specific locations on campus, and provided descriptive didactics to educate and intrigue students and staff.
Early in the life of the Collection, most of the works were kept on permanent display as no adequate storage space was available. Although some at the time suggested artworks should naturally age, Bonnin fought for appropriate art collection storage. Through her advocacy, climate-controlled art storage was built on campus, and these spaces continue to house the University’s Art Collection today.
Originally appointed co-coordinator of the Queensland Film and Drama Centre, Dr Margriet Bonnin oversaw the transformation from QFDC to Griffith Artworks as well as delivering significant community programs and the acquisition of many works in the Collection. During her tenure, the Art Museum was well established as an art collection of political posters, works on paper, and what is now the country’s foremost collection of early É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n video art.
In 1978 Dr Margriet Bonnin was appointed Co-ordinator of the Queensland Film and Drama Centre, which was renamed Griffith Artworks in the late 1980s. In August 1978 the aim of the Centre was defined as endeavouring to "bring together the many different elements of the University community into a productive relationship which would promote film, drama and the visual arts in Queensland."
Overseeing the start of the On Campus Exhibition Program, Bonnin ensured works in the Collection could be both appreciated and preserved. Staff curated artworks to specific locations on campus, and provided descriptive didactics to educate and intrigue students and staff.
Early in the life of the Collection, most of the works were kept on permanent display as no adequate storage space was available. Though some at the time suggested artworks should naturally age, Margriet fought for appropriate art collection storage. Through her work, climate-controlled art stores were created on Nathan campus. These spaces continue to house the University’s Art Collection.
Oral History of Griffith University Art Museum - Beth Jackson Inteviewed by Angela Goddard, 8 June 2021
Beth Jackson
1998 - 2001
Initially employed as Griffith Artworks' first Curator from 1993-98, Beth Jackson oversaw Griffith Artworks’ move to the Queensland College of Art in 1996. From 1993 to 1996 we were awarded a $50,000 Collections Development Grant from the É«ÇéÍøÕ¾ Council to purchase artworks for the Collection. It was the largest grant of its type ever awarded and led to the purchase of artworks from many mediums including almost 80 videos and 7 CD-ROMs. Utilising this grant Jackson led the team and developed an innovative Reproduction Agreement for the newly acquired video works. These artist agreements allowed the creation of viewing copies for distribution across Griffith University libraries for student access and borrowing. The acquisition of a large number of video works during Jackson’s tenure led to Griffith University Art Museum now holding the largest public collection of early É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n video art in the country. This resource continues to inspire new É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n research.
Becoming our Director in 1998, Jackson championed the collecting of innovating É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n Art and regularly organised screenings of new acquisitions at the State Library and in Queensland theatres. She also curated a vast array of exhibitions that toured throughout É«ÇéÍøÕ¾.
Simon Wright
2002 - 2012
In 2002 Simon Wright was announced as our third Director, leading the team until 2012. During this time, he oversaw the new purpose-built exhibition space at the Griffith University's South Bank campus. During this time we hosted exhibitions including Out of Print: Gordon Bennett, Material Evidence: Jenny Watson, Margaret Olley: Honoris Causa Survey Exhibition, Colonial to Contemporary: Queensland College of Art 125 Years and Gonkar Gyatso: Three Realms.
With a particular focus on contemporary Indigenous É«ÇéÍøÕ¾n art, he oversaw the acquisition of major works that now form an integral part of the Griffith University Art Collection. Since 2012 Simon has worked at the Queensland Art Gallery l Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).
Oral History of Griffith University Art Museum - Simon Wright Inteviewed by Angela Goddard, 21 September 2021
Celebrating 50 years
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