Sera Waters. Survivalist Sampler, 2019-2020 (detail). Cotton, glow-in-the-dark thread,found materials on repurposed linen 45 x 42 cm.Courtesy the artist and Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide.

Going Global

Increasing the visibility of Australian women artists through promotion of the unique Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art held by The University of Western Australia is one of Sheila Foundation’s key goals.

Significant progress has been made towards the digitisation of the Collection, which will enable anyone, anywhere in the world to access it online. Having the Collection available to the public and, importantly, to scholars nationally and internationally, will encourage research to transform the narratives of our art history.

It has also been encouraging to see the number of loan requests coming to The University of Western Australia from institutions around the nation for works from the Collection. This includes several works which made their way to the National Gallery of Australia for the major ‘Know My Name’ exhibition in 2021-22. Sheila thanks The University of Western Australia for their co-operation and work on these projects.

What's Next?

We are looking forward to the full digitisation of the Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art at The University of Western Australia. We are also exploring other opportunities to exhibit parts of the Collection nationally to showcase Australian women artists in as many parts of Australia as possible.

“
The Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art is a unique resource that allows audiences to see the range of art made by Australia’s women artists from the 1880s to the present, in a way that is not possible in our state and national art museums. It provides a valuable insight into Australia’s artistic and cultural history. It is, to quote leading art historian Professor Rex Butler, “an invaluable resource for the rethinking of Australian art."

John Cruthers, Sheila Chairperson

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