August 15, 2022

UOW’s prestigious Art Auction is back on campus

Auction includes works by Ben Quilty, Paul Ryan and other well-known artists

The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) much-awaited annual Art Auction is back on campus after two disruptive years due to the pandemic.

The auction will celebrate its 18^th anniversary this year and features works by alumni, current and former staff and honorary fellows of the School of the Arts, English and Media at the University.

This year’s art work includes paintings, drawings, lithographic prints, etchings, photographs, sculptures, and ceramics. All works in the auction have been generously donated by staff (present and former), alumni, and honorary fellows, including award-winning artists and many well-known names in the art world.

Included in the auction are works by Ben Quilty, Claudia Damichi, Chris Zanko and Jelle Van den Berg among others.

The funds raised from the auction will go toward supporting the 2022 UOW Grad Show in November and funding a Visual Arts student to travel to the 2022 National Graduate Show in Perth.

Dr Jo Law, is the Interim Head of School and a senior lecturer in the School of the Arts, English and Media said this year is a new beginning for art lovers after two years of continuous disruptions due to the pandemic.

“The Art Auction to raise funds to support the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts, Visual Arts and Design) graduates has a long history,” Dr Law said.

“This year’s event is a new beginning for us after the disruptions of the past two years.

“In the past, this has been a staff-led student event that raised funds to put on the end-of-year graduate exhibition. This year, we have been fortunate to have the support from staff (former and present), alumni, and honorary fellows to donate their works to kick-start this event once again.

“The money raised will contribute to sending a selected graduate to the National Graduate Show at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art.

“Aside from a welcome to all staff and students as we return to campus, we also want to highlight the important role of the creative arts in these challenging times.

“We are very pleased that the honorary Doctor of Creative Arts this year, Ben Quilty, is supporting our fund-raising event by generously donating one of his etchings.”

The auction will be held on campus and also online for the convenience of viewers.