Bundanon: the dream takes shape, nearly 30 years on

In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, we look at Bundanon, the sprawling NSW estate nestled in bushland on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, given to the nation in 1993 by artist Arthur Boyd and his wife Yvonne.

The estate – which includes many significant artworks by Boyd and contemporaries such as Sidney Nolan and Charles Blackman – has long been used for artist residencies and occasional open days. But distance from a capital city, lack of funds and limited facilities has made it impossible to open the properties to all Australians for most of the time, as was Boyd’s dream. That is all set to change thanks to a striking new $33 million building, designed by Melbourne architect Kerstin Thompson that will include a gallery, underground storage, accommodation and catering facilities, allowing the place to be open most of the week, most of the time, from later this year.

Boyd’s legacy and dream, and the constraints and opportunities at Bundanon are explored by Good Weekend senior writer Amanda Hooton for our cover story this week: “The Bridge: How Arthur Boyd’s majestic gift to the nation is being reborn, nearly 30 years on.” Amanda was joined in conversation on the podcast by outgoing Bundanon Trust CEO Deborah Ely to discuss the new gallery, the risks of fire and flood that it attempts to mitigate, the special character of Arthur Boyd, and the role regional galleries can play in a COVID-constrained world.

With moderation from Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland, this episode dives deeply into a striking new plan to make a decades-old dream a reality.

Good Weekend Talks offers readers the chance to delve even deeper each week into Good Weekend’s most intriguing stories, with lively insight from writers, editors and experts. Listen to more episodes by subscribing to Good Weekend Talks wherever you get your podcasts.

For the full feature story, see Saturday’s Good Weekend, or visit The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.

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