Gauguin’s priceless artworks return to the Pacific
Gauguin returns to the Pacific in a National Gallery exclusive exhibition that kicks off in June 2024.
Entertainment
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In what is being hailed as one of The National Gallery of Australia’s most ambitious exhibitions to date, 140 artworks by French post-impressionism Paul Gauguin will be on display for the first time in the Pacific region.
It’s a return of sorts, as Gauguin famously moved to French Polynesia in 1891 where he created some of his most renowned works.
Notably, the exhibition Gauguin’s World: Tōa Iho, Tōna Ao is curated by Henri Loyrette, former director of the Louvre Museum and Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
The priceless works are on loan from over 65 public and private art collections including the aforementioned museums in Paris, MoMa in New York, Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Museum of Western Art in Tokyo.
National Gallery director, Dr Nick Mitzevich said Gauguin’s World promises to be an artistic drawcard when it opens at the National Gallery in Canberra on June 29, 2024. The exhibition runs until October 7.
“From all around the world, the leading museums and galleries are lending their prize Gauguins to us. It’s the first opportunity to see the work of this wonderful artist in Australia. Interestingly, he’s one of the few 19th Century European artists that travelled through Australia – on his way to Tahiti on two occasions, he stopped in Adelaide and Sydney. And there is no other impressionist or postimpressionist that we can remember that did that,” said Mr Mitzevich.
“The exhibition obviously surveyed the work of Gauguin and his relationship and interactions with Tahitian culture and one of the most important parts of the exhibition as a counterpoint will be to elevate Tahitian culture in Australia, as our Pacific neighbour.”
The collection will also feature pieces from Gauguin’s earlier work in Paris, but Mr Mitzevich said the pieces done in the Pacific region, particularly Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia are standouts.
“I think the late Gauguins from Tahiti are the best. One of the reason Gauguin has an important role in our history is that he was an extraordinary colourist, so you get pinks and oranges and reds and purples all playing together to ensure Gauguin’s paintings are considered some of the most innovative in the use of colour.”
Like other contemporary and historic artists, Mr Mitzevich said Gauguin’s life and art have increasingly and appropriately been debated. In today’s context, Gauguin’s interactions in Polynesia (which included taking a teenage mistress) in the later part of the 19th Century would not be accepted and are recognised as such.
“The National Gallery will explore Gauguin’s life, art and controversial legacy through talks, public programs, a podcast series and films.”
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