A mural by Indigenous Australian artist Emily Kngwarreye has been hung in the dining room at The Lodge.
A huge mural by Indigenous artist Emily Kngwarreye dominates the formal room, and is sure to be a talking point at many official dinners. Bright pink and orange brushstrokes steal the scene upon entry to the room.
Mrs Turnbull has broken with tradition in the dining room, hanging many bold contemporary artworks selected from the National Gallery’s collection.
Mrs Turnbull said it was important for the art in The Lodge to “express Australia through its whole history”.
“I was very keen that it expressed lots of different thoughts and strains and aspirations and different ways of showing what a great country we are.”
Pieces by Indigenous artists Paddy Bedford and Rover Thomas grace the formal sitting rooms.
The work of many female Australian artists adorn the walls, including Margaret Preston, Ethel Carrick and Rosalie Gascoigne.
There are plenty of iconic pieces including an Arthur Streeton landscape of Queensland’s Magnetic Island, which has been on display in The Lodge for many years.
Russell Drysdale and Arthur Boyd works make an appearance in rooms used to entertain guests and there is a Sidney Nolan in the Prime Minister’s study.
Lucy Turnbull brings brought bold, contemporary Australian art into The Lodge, brightening up the Prime Ministerial residence.
Source: Contemporary Australian art finds new home at The Lodge
The Lodge in Canberra is situated within 1.8 hectares of grounds and is traditionally the principal residence of the Prime Minister of Australia.
The Lodge was built by Australian craftsmen using local materials to a design by architect J S Taylor of Glebe, Sydney. The plan incorporated a site with lawns, flowers, fruit and vegetable gardens, orchards, a tennis court and a croquet lawn. The decoration and furnishing was under the supervision of interior designer Ruth Lane-Poole.
The Australiana Fund recognizes the importance of representing not only Australia’s historic traditions, but also our modern culture. Examples of this can be seen in several commissions by contemporary artists and craftspeople. Among the artworks on loan to The Lodge by The Australiana Fund, there are objects with Prime Ministerial and historic provenance such as an earthenware jug resembling Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and Sir Henry Parkes’ campaign secretaire.