Launceston’s new dAda mUse art museum has opened to the public

A new art museum in Launceston is expected to do for tourism in the state’s north what MONA did for the south. SNEAK PEEK >

Move over MONA, there is a new funky art museum in the state which is already attracting surrealism devotees from around Australia and the world.

Tasmanian doctor and art collector Brendan Vote has opened the doors of the state’s latest museum — dAda mUse — which is home to Australia’s biggest collection of Salvador Dalí works on paper.

It is expected the new museum could do for northern Tasmania what MONA has done for tourism in the south.

“We are very different to MONA, the building and the feel are not the same. But, we are hoping people who visit Tasmania go to MONA in Hobart and then travel up to us or vice versa,” dAda mUse Collections Manager Amy Bartlett said.

The iconic artist Salvador Dalí was born in Catalonia, in 1904.

The new museum opened on April 5 and was closed over Easter but already it has hosted  visitors from Melbourne, NSW and from other parts of the world.

The Surrealist Art Museum is the latest incarnation of one of Launceston’s most prominent buildings — the 1842 Johnstone and Wilmot building in Cimitiere St.

Of Dali’s 1600 on-paper works, Dr Vote owns all but 100 and some of the many pieces being displayed are being shown for the first time.

Dr Vote opened the museum because he believed it was “high time his collection was taken out of his house and office and exhibited to the public.”

Ms Bartlett said people interested in Tasmania’s history and architecture would be attracted to the building, but it was the magnificent art collection that was expected to evoke interest and engage viewers.

“While artworks from other artists will be shown periodically at dAda mUse, it is the Salvador Dalí collection that is exceptional. Most of these artworks have not been shown publicly and will draw national and international visitors,” Ms Bartlett said.

Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson said he was delighted to see a major new cultural offering opening its doors in the city.

“Launceston is a growing visitor destination, which is known for its heritage, artistic and culinary attractions. The addition of dAda mUse to our city — a showcase of internationally recognised works by a globally renowned artist — is incredibly exciting.”

The art museum will be open Wednesdays to Sundays.