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Art Gallery of NSW names first female director in 154 years

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 The Art Gallery of NSW’s Maud Page has been named the institution’s first female leader in its 154-year history.
 
 
 The landmark ministerial appointment follows an international search for a successor to outgoing director Dr Michael Brand, whose departure has been unexpectedly brought forward from June to next Friday.
 
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 Brand did not acknowledge his deputy’s historic appointment Friday in an Instagram post which flagged his exit from the gallery at short notice.
 
 
 “I’ve just been informed that the NSW government is about to announce the Art Gallery’s new director who will start next week so that’s a wrap for me today,” he said.
 
 
 “It’s been a huge honour and privilege to lead our public art museum through such an extraordinary transformation.
 
 
 “I will always deeply cherish and appreciate the support I have received in Sydney, especially from all of my colleagues at the Art Gallery.”
 
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 With Page’s appointment, all NSW’s major galleries and museums are now headed by women.
 
 
 Page said it was a “momentous” day for her, and her appointment was difficult to believe given deputies of such esteemed institutions were usually overlooked for directors’ roles. This is believed to be the first-ever director’s appointment made from within the gallery.
 
 
 “My daughter is about to turn 20, and it’s such a fabulous demonstration to her that if you work hard and work with people, dreams can happen,” she said.
 
 
 Page was the standout and only internal candidate on the shortlist, which included applicants from North America, Art Gallery of NSW Trust president Michael Rose said.
 
 
 Rose said the selection panel had been swayed by Page’s genuine engagement with the contemporary arts scene, her curatorial strength and her close relationship with other cultural institutions with which she wants to more closely collaborate.
 
 
 “I think of Maud as an international candidate who is well-connected in the international arts world, and speaks three languages,” Rose said.
 
 
 “One of my things is to recognise what a smart and creative place Sydney is, and it’s such a pleasure to find the best candidate here in this city and in the institution.”
 
 
 Page came from Queensland Art Gallery to Sydney in 2017 and has since cultivated deep connections with Pacific communities.
 
 
 The French-born Page impressed French President Emmanuel Macron on his first official diplomatic visit to Australia in 2018 when he came to see the world-famous
 
 Lady and the Unicorn
 
 tapestries that Page had secured on loan from the Musee de Cluny in Paris.
 
 
 She has since been a vocal champion inside the gallery of First Nations art and wants to further extend the gallery’s outreach to western Sydney and regional NSW.
 
 
 Responsible, with Brand, for international blockbusters such as
 
 Magritte
 
 , she has also engaged children in art, with the opening of the Children’s Art Library and the popular Hive Festival for children.
 
 
 Under her leadership, it’s expected the gallery will lean more into Indigenous art, for which there is a growing international audience.
 
 
 Page will commence in the prestigious role – that comes with a $509,161 remuneration package according to the gallery’s latest annual report – next Friday, March 28.
 
 
 Brand departs after 13 years, during which the gallery’s new $344 million Sydney Modern building was opened in December 2023. The doubling of the gallery’s footprint caused the director to cut jobs while successfully arguing for millions more in government funding to cover part of an operational shortfall.
 
 
 Arts Minister John Graham wished Brand the best for the next chapter of his career.
 
 
 “I congratulate Maud Page on her appointment to the role,” he said. “She has already been a driving force to help grow its annual visitation to 2 million per year, ranking it 28 out of 100 in the world’s most visited art museums in the annual international
 
 Art Newspaper
 
 survey.”
 
 
 Following Brand’s sudden exit, the gallery stated that an elongated transition period was no longer needed since Page was an internal hire. Previously, the gallery’s director had provided six months’ notice to ensure ample time for locating a replacement.
 
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Art Gallery of NSW names first female director in 154 years

Unknown art, artwork, leadership, news, women leaders

The Art Gallery of NSW’s Maud Page has been named the institution’s first female leader in its 154-year history. The landmark ministerial appointment follows an international search for a s…

Sharjah's Deputy Ruler Launches Islamic Art Exhibition in Oman

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 SHARJAH, 17th March, 2025 (WAM)-- H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, who serves as the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened the "Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization" exhibit on Monday at the National Museum of Oman.


 Ongoing until May, this exhibition acts as a cultural stage highlighting the profound historical connections and robust cooperation between the UAE and Oman in safeguarding their heritage and advancing Islamic culture.


 The inauguration began with a address from Jamal Al Moosawi, the Secretary-General of the National Museum of Oman, who greeted Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and the guests present.


 He stressed that the exhibition showcases the progression and elegance of Islamic art, stemming from the collaboration between the National Museum and the Sharjah Museums Authority.


 Al Moosawi stated that the exhibit comprises three segments: Calligraphic Arts, Sciences and Innovations, and Harmony and Diversity. Each segment showcases items highlighting the profound artistic legacy of Islamic civilization throughout history. He emphasized that this exhibition supports the National Museum’s dedication to cultural diplomacy and promotes an understanding of Islamic heritage.


 Aisha Rashid Deemas, the Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, conveyed her joy over hosting the exhibit at one of Oman’s premier cultural establishments. She emphasized the robust familial bonds and common heritage linking the UAE and Oman, which have been reinforced under the guidance of their respective leaders.


 Deemas highlighted that the trip of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and ruler of Sharjah, to Oman served as significant motivation for arranging this exhibition. This initiative embodies his belief in leveraging culture and art as means to fortify ties and encourage mutual understanding between the two countries.


 The exhibit goes on to showcase the strong historical, cultural, and social ties that have developed over time among different generations.


 She mentioned that the exhibition serves as more than just a stage for showcasing rare Islamic artifacts; it’s also a chance to contemplate the collective historical heritage of the area. The event underscores the remarkable artistry and innovation that characterized Islamic civilization across different periods.


 One of the notable exhibits being shown publicly beyond the borders of the UAE for the very first time include a silver goblet adorned with the imperial insignia of Ottoman Emperor Abdul Hamid II, an elaborately designed hexagonal eating seat made specifically for Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, along with the initial Islamic coin struck in Baghdad following the Mongol conquest.


 Other significant displays feature an eleventh or twelfth-century cat-form incense burner and a thirteenth-century gilded earthenware pitcher, showcasing the rich artistic variety within Islamic culture.


 Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi toured the exhibition, receiving detailed explanations about the 82 rare artefacts on display. These include Islamic manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, and historical coins, each illustrating the artistic evolution and cultural richness of successive Islamic civilisations.

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 The exhibition celebrates the strong ties between the UAE and Oman and embodies the vision of the Sharjah Ruler to enhance cultural cooperation and use the arts as a medium for dialogue and mutual understanding. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the artistic and aesthetic dimensions of Islamic civilisation through a carefully curated selection of artefacts that narrate centuries of Islamic history.


 The exhibition aims to highlight the artistic achievements of Islamic civilisation, strengthen collaboration with regional and international cultural institutions, and raise awareness of the rich heritage of the Islamic world. By fostering cultural appreciation and knowledge exchange, the event contributes to a deeper understanding of the enduring artistic traditions of the Islamic world.


 The opening ceremony was attended by Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Oman; Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Oman; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority; Jamal Al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum of Oman; along with several senior officials and diplomats.

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Sharjah's Deputy Ruler Launches Islamic Art Exhibition in Oman

Unknown art, artwork, culture, exhibitions, saudi arabia

SHARJAH, 17th March, 2025 (WAM)-- H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, who serves as the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened the "Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Sharjah Mu…