NEW DIRECTOR BEGINS AT QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY

Arts Minister Rod Welford today welcomed Tony Ellwood into his new role as Director of the Queensland Art Gallery.

Mr Welford said Mr Ellwood was a highly experienced art museum director with a notable national and international reputation.

“Tony Ellwood has been the Deputy Director of the National Gallery Victoria (NGV) since 2000, where he’s successfully delivered many innovative exhibitions and projects including the $168 million redevelopment of the NGV International building,” Mr Welford said.

“Mr Ellwood’s proven capabilities, enormous experience and international network will be invaluable to the ongoing success of the Queensland Art Gallery, including the new Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

“This is an exciting time for the Queensland arts community and I have every confidence that Mr Ellwood will lead the Gallery into its next exciting era.”

Mr Ellwood said he was delighted to be taking on the role at such an engaging time in the history of the Queensland Art Gallery.

“There is legitimately national interest in what the Queensland Art Gallery can do to change the landscape of the art sector in Australia,” he said.

“In terms of opportunity to present art, the Queensland Art Gallery and GoMA are the two finest facilities in this country.”

One of Mr Ellwood’s first official engagements will be to welcome guests to the launch of the Howard Arkley exhibition on Thursday 5 July.

The retrospective exhibition, which comprehensively explores the evolution of Arkley’s career, will be at GoMA from Friday 6 July to Sunday 16 September.

Mr Ellwood served as Director of the Bendigo Art Gallery from 1996 to 1999 and in the early 1990s he was Director of Waringarri Aboriginal Arts co-operative in Western Australia.

He holds a Masters Degree and Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies from Deakin University in Melbourne.

Media Contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336