IN Modern Art

By Ara Jansen

From Picasso to Pollock and Magritte to Mondrian, Perth is being treated to an international collection of modern art.

One of the modern art world’s most fascinating characters also had an enviable collection, which Perth art lovers can indulge in over the summer months.

Blessed with a keen eye and excellent taste, Peggy Guggenheim was the niece of Solomon R. Guggenheim, after whom New York’s famed art gallery and foundation is named. Peggy’s father died in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, leaving the 21-year-old New Yorker a $2.5 million inheritance.

In her early 20’s Peggy moved to Paris, became enamoured with the bohemian set and became friends with artists who would go on to become big names in art’s future.

She started selling, collecting and exhibiting art as well as promoting her friends and eventually moved to Venice. Her collection became one of Europe’s most significant examples of modern American art and remains so today.

On display now and for the next four months at the Art Gallery of Western Australia are 35 pieces from the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice.

Titled Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice, the works show off the late Peggy’s strong affinity for surrealism and abstraction, two of last century’s key art movements.

The collection of European and American artists who transformed modern art includes work by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Piet Mondrian, Vasily Kandinsky, Giorgio de Chirico, Constantin Brancusi, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock.

To offer a further insight into the woman herself, personal ephemera from the colourful collector and patron, including her famous sunglasses and pictures of her much-loved dogs, will also be on display.

This is the first exhibition in the Art Gallery’s annual series called Great Collections of the World.

Art Gallery of Western Australia director Dr Stefano Carboni says the Peggy Guggenheim exhibition and others in the series, which are exclusive to Perth and not travelling elsewhere in Australia, will share some of art’s most interesting treasures with West Australians.

“I think there’s an appetite for this kind of exhibition in Perth,” says Dr Carboni. “We’ve created something very unique here, because it’s not part of another show. These are masterpieces and I want to give the public a great experience that is both visual and educational.”

The exhibition also comes with a full schedule of activities for all ages which range from talks and after-hours master classes to student art workshops.

Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice is at the Art Gallery of Western Australia until January 31, 2011. Check out greatcollections.com.au for full activity list.

*Realmark is an active and enthusiastic supporter of the arts and has a close association with the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Our award-winning company was a sponsor of Starry Starry Night, a glittering fundraiser held in the lead-up to Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice.*