Name

Silk Cut Foundation.

Culture

Australian

Type

Organisation

Start date

1995

Start place

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia View on map Close map

Occupations

Art patron

Summary

Located:Australia(VIC).

NGA IRN

36282

Context

Australia

Biography

Since 2004, the Gallery has been the recipient of major works through the Silk Cut Foundation. These include award-winning linoprints by GW Bot, Graham Fransella, Rona Green, Alick Tipoti and John Ryrie.

The Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints was established in 1995 to encourage innovation within linocut prints and to foster appreciation for the medium. It is an acquisitive award, and in 2003 the National Gallery of Australia was approached by the award’s coordinator, Dianne Waite, who proposed that the award-winning works be gifted in turn to the Collection. This arrangement has been honoured by Gerry Ryan and Bill Dorward, the Directors of Duroloid (Dewgrove Pty Ltd) and the sponsors of the Silk Cut Award.

Since the success of the inaugural award, the prize is now held annually, and a selection of prints is acquired on the recommendation of the judges to form the Silk Cut Collection. These prints are then periodically gifted to the National Gallery of Australia.

This important collection of works highlights the incredible versatility of the linocut medium as well as the diverse and innovative approaches that artists have used. The innovative and groundbreaking use of the linocut medium has led to the creation of a number of key works in the careers of many of the artists represented in the Collection.

The Silk Cut Award National Print Award also provides a special category for primary and secondary school students and these works are held within the Gallery’s Education collection.