Flinders Art Gallery celebrates in print

South Australia’s largest university art collection has been showcased in a new book, Speak to me: conversations with the Flinders University Art Collections.

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Oct 26, 2016, updated Mar 18, 2025
Graphic derived from: Ellen Trevorrow (Australian, Ngarrindjeri) born 1955, Sister basket, 1998, spiny-headed sedge, 45 x 27 x 7 cm (irregular), FUAM 3246, Image © the artist 2016, Photographer: Flinders University, Designer: Sandra Elms Design
Graphic derived from: Ellen Trevorrow (Australian, Ngarrindjeri) born 1955, Sister basket, 1998, spiny-headed sedge, 45 x 27 x 7 cm (irregular), FUAM 3246, Image © the artist 2016, Photographer: Flinders University, Designer: Sandra Elms Design

The art collection of 8,000 pieces is a rich tapestry of artistic and cultural history, with the book featuring a selection of styles including contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Australian, European, early Japanese and indigenous works from Papua New Guinea, North America and Africa.

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Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese), born 1769 Edo (now Tokyo), Japan, died 1825 Edo (now Tokyo), Japan Scene from Kabuki play early 19th century, woodblock, colour inks on paper, 37.1 x 25.5 cm, Gift of Miss ME Wharmby, Flinders University Art Museum Collection 2407, Photograph by Flinders University.
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William Hogarth (English), born 1697 London, England, died 1764 London, England, Beer Street 1751, engraving, ink on paper, 35.7 x 30.1 cm (image), Flinders University Art Museum Collection 79, Photograph by Flinders University.
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Toni Robertson (Australian), born 1953 Sydney, New South Wales, lives Sydney, New South Wales , The royal nuclear show – 4 1981, from the series The royal nuclear show, screenprint, colour inks on paper , from four hand-cut and three photo-stencils, print run of 230, 77.5 x 51.5 cm, Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Amanda Martin, Flinders University Art Museum Collection 5024.006, Photograph by Flinders University, Image © the artist 2016.
1-yirawala-bark-4840-cmyk
Yirawala (attributed) (Australian, Kunwinjku), born c1897 Northern Territory, died 1976 Croker Island, West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Untitled mid 20th century, natural pigments on bark, 17 x 31 cm, Gift of Mrs Cornelia Findlay, Flinders University Art Museum Collection 4840, Photograph by Flinders University, Image © the Estate of the artist / Licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd 2016.

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Fiona Salmon, director of the Flinders University Art Museum and City Gallery, says the selection of pieces showcased in the book includes commentary by academics, professional staff and higher degree students.

“Members of the Flinders community were invited to provide their thoughts on selected artwork; these insights can be found within the pages of the book.”

Speak to me: conversations with the Flinders University Art Collections highlights the strengths and diversity of Flinders University’s visual art holdings that have been curated over the past half century.

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The first works were acquired by the former Department of Fine Arts and are now housed and managed by Flinders University Art Museum.

The book was launched as a Flinders University 50th Anniversary event last week hosted by Professor Helen Chatterjee from University College London.

Professor Chatterjee MBE, Head of Research and Teaching, University College London, is an award winning academic and advocate of collections-based learning in higher education.

The Flinders art collection is used extensively for object-based learning at Flinders University, as well as to enhance second-language education.

Ms Salmon says the Flinders City Gallery located at the State Library of SA has also helped to take the artworks into an accessible space for community engagement.

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Speak to me: conversations with the Flinders University Art Collections is available to purchase from the Flinders University City Gallery, State Library of South Australia, or go to www.flinders.edu.au/artmuseum/shop

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