12 OCTOBER 2015

GOLD COAST BENEFACTOR AWARDED 2015 QAGOMA MEDAL

In recognition of her exceptional and inspiring contribution to the state art collection, the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) has awarded Gold Coast-based philanthropist Mrs Winifred (Win) Schubert AO the 2015 QAGOMA Medal.

Win Schubert was presented with the Medal in front of 150 guests at the 2015 Foundation Annual Dinner held at the Queensland Art Gallery on Saturday 10 October.

Chair of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees, Professor Susan Street AO acknowledged Win Schubert’s dedicated contribution to the Gallery’s Collection, a patronage that started over 20 years ago.

‘This presentation of the QAGOMA Medal coincides with a new philanthropic milestone for the Gallery. Win Schubert has now directly gifted or funded the acquisition of over 100 artworks. She is one of the most generous benefactors in the QAGOMA Foundation’s 36 year history,’ said Professor Street.

Works acquired through Win Schubert’s support include public favourites Kohei Nawa’s PixCell-Double Deer #4 2010; Yayoi Kusama’s Flowers that bloom at midnight 2011; Brett Whiteley’s White dove feeling the universe 1985–92; and Cai Guo-Qiang’s poetic and allegorical assembly of 99 animals, Heritage 2013.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines CNZM thanked Win Schubert for her heartfelt patronage, stating that the awarding of the Medal gave the Gallery an opportunity to publicly thank the modest benefactor.

‘Win Schubert has supported the development of art in Queensland and helped to ensure that the Queensland public have the opportunity to experience a wide array of outstanding artworks. Her far-reaching and generous support has enabled the Gallery to acquire a broad range of works, from a Renaissance print by Albrecht Dürer to paintings by emerging Queensland artists,’ he said.

‘Her support continues to expand the distinct and enduring significance of art in our lives. We remain humbled by her generosity and moved by her dedication to the Gallery, to the arts, and to the Queensland community.’

The QAGOMA Medal was first awarded posthumously to the late Richard WL Austin AO OBE (1919–2000) in October 2014 for his distinguished and outstanding services to the Gallery during his term as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1995, and for initiating and supporting the Gallery’s focus on the Asia Pacific region in that period.

The QAGOMA Medal, designed and produced by renowned Queensland jeweller Barbara Heath, is awarded to an individual who has given distinguished and outstanding service to the Gallery, or who has made a transformative contribution to the institution.