243. EXCURSION - WA ART GALLERY, PERTH
Excursion Leader: Carol Wauchope
Review written by: Norma Vaughan
Today's excursion to the WA Art Gallery in Perth had a refreshing informality about it. Members dropped in and out of the range of activities as they pleased. Part of the group travelled to Perth together by train, others drifted in to the Art Gallery Café during the first coffee stop, and more popped up at the back of the escorted tour group. After dispersing for lunch at various venues nearby, some of the original party regrouped back in the Art Gallery to view the "Princely Treasures" exhibition and others simply wandered off. That was how it was meant to be. No head counts necessary. The first princely treasure I experienced was the $12.00 I paid for a flat white and a piece of carrot cake.
First stop was a free tour of the open section of the Art Gallery, which was conducted by a dedicated and well informed volunteer gallery guide, one of those people who are treasures themselves. It was a fascinating hour, during which we were treated to many behind the scenes stories of the exhibits. We saw such original works as Auguste Rodin's 'Adam', Frederick McCubbin's painting, 'Down on His Luck', the Indigenous Art Award exhibits, exquisite porcelain and so much more.
After lunch came the second hour-long conducted tour of the day. This time it was the "Princely Treasures" exhibition, which was an optional inclusion on our excursion day, and well worth paying the extra $16.00 for. It was an opulent collection of European Masterpieces on loan from London's renowned Victoria and Albert Museum. More than 90 stunning objects were on display. There were marble busts, famous paintings, exquisite jewellery, stunning religious artifacts, sculptures and tapestries, all from the two centuries spanning 1600 and 1800.
The exhibition had five blended sections, or themes, representing Royal power, war, religion, interior design and fashion. Murdoch Professor Geoffrey Bolton was referring to the magnificent palace of Versailles when he said, "The great unwashed could at least go along and gawp at its splendour", and that was us today. Our wonderful Excursion Leader Carol did not come back on the train to Mandurah with us, she collected her blue backpack and rushed off to catch a plane to Queensland.