A Lot To See At Dobell House Exhibition
An
extensive exhibition, “Dobell, his Life and Art”, is permanently
on display. It is made up of 5 panels dedicated to Dobell’s life
interspersed with 60 images of his works from 1927 to the time of his
death in 1970. A further 8 panels, displaying 85 images, highlight the
four major eras of his work – London, Sydney, New Guinea and Wangi.
This exhibition was funded by a grant from the N.S.W. Ministry for the
Arts under its 2001 Museums Program.
Dobell’s furniture and memorabilia, left in the house by the executors
of the Will, were purchased by Lord and Lady Casey, Governor General of
Australia and close friends of Sir William, and given to the Committee.
These items remain on display throughout the house. Much of this furniture,
including a Brinsmead grand piano (thought to have been given to Dobell
by Camille Geysen in return for painting his portrait) and the house,
have been restored by Federal and State Government grants and local government
loans.
Over the years the Dobell family, led by Sir William’s niece Jean
Hayward, have donated a considerable collection of Dobell’s personal
items and family heirlooms to the House.
These have been placed on display and include a complete 80-piece blue and white Meissen dinner service; a jeroboam of vintage champagne bought by art collector and friend, Rudy Komon, for Dobell’s 70th birthday; and pieces of cane furniture which Dobell purchased in Hong Kong.
Other items donated and on display are a ‘pen and ink’ sketch on tracing linen, circa 1919, produced as an election poster for Magnus Cromarty and believed to be the oldest, signed work completed by Dobell as an adult; and his blue and white Japanese Yukata, or kimono-style housecoat.
A photo wall depicting Sir William at various stages of his life extends along the full length of the reception area. The images were selected from the Dobell House archives collection by Newcastle Region Art Gallery curatorial staff in preparation for their major ‘William Dobell: hard drawing’ exhibition. The Gallery enlarged and mounted the photographs and then donated them to Dobell House at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Visitors to Dobell’s studio, where he created many of his famous paintings, can listen to a 1963 radio interview in which he talks about himself and his work while downstairs in the main area they can watch a video program about him produced in the 1960s and featuring an interview actually filmed in the House.
The video program also includes footage of Dobell receiving the prestigious Britannica prize; extensive commentary by then Art Gallery of NSW director Hal Missingham and artist Donald Friend; and an interview with Sir William’s agent Rudy Komon.
The gardens around Dobell House have been restored to their heritage condition with an emphasis on plant species popular when Sir William lived there. They also contain many of his original plantings which are all clearly identified for visitors with individual plaques.
ACTIVITIES AT DOBELL HOUSE
Festivals
Dobell House Arts & Crafts Festival
Traditionally held during the last weekend in October each year and recently extended to run over both the Saturday and the Sunday.
Queen’s Birthday Weekend
A Knitting Festival organised by the Hunter Knitters Guild and the Fibrefest Spinning & Weaving Festival organised by Morisset Spinners & Weavers are held alternate years over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.
Christmas Card Competition
Each year the Sir William Dobell Memorial Committee sponsors a Christmas Card Competition at Wangi Wangi Public School. Prizes and certificates are awarded for the best card in each Year and the prize-winning entries are displayed at Dobell House over the school holidays.
Dobell
Studio
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Photo to enlarge
Dobell
Exhibition
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Photo to enlarge
William
Dobell in his Studio
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Photo to enlarge
Sir
William Dobell - H Rubenstein
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Photo to enlarge
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