Sir William Dobell Foundation
The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation was established upon the death of
William Dobell in 1970 for ‘the benefit and promotion of art in New South
Wales’, according to the terms of his will. It was a deliberately broad brief
and decisions regarding projects the foundation would fund were left at the
discretion of the trustees. Tony Clune, Dobell’s sole executor, appointed
Charles Lloyd Jones and Franco Belgiorno-Nettis as trustees, while Dobell’s
biographer, the artist James Gleeson, was appointed art director and Thelma
Clune, archivist.
The foundation was established from the proceeds of the disposal of Dobell’s
estate, which included an auction of works from his studio. Dobell’s work had
become increasingly popular with collectors, and the sale was held three years
after his death, at the (then) new Sydney Opera House, ensuring the greatest
possible attention. It was also the first auction conducted by Sotheby’s in
Australia.
In his will, Dobell suggested a broad range of possible activities for the
foundation, including the establishment of an art prize or prizes, but his
intention was to allow the trustees of the foundation to use their own judgment
in allotting funds to various projects for the encouragement of Australian art
and artists. Over the years the foundation has sponsored many diverse projects.
The Dobell Prize for Drawing at the Art Gallery of NSW
was largely the initiative of one of the foundation directors, James Gleeson.
Established in 1993, it pays due recognition to the importance of drawing in
William Dobell’s art, as well as encouraging excellence in draughtsmanship by
artists working now.
The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation was established upon the death of
William Dobell in 1970 for ‘the benefit and promotion of art in New South
Wales’, according to the terms of his will. It was a deliberately broad brief
and decisions regarding projects the foundation would fund were left at the
discretion of the trustees. Tony Clune, Dobell’s sole executor, appointed
Charles Lloyd Jones and Franco Belgiorno-Nettis as trustees, while Dobell’s
biographer, the artist James Gleeson, was appointed art director and Thelma
Clune, archivist.
The foundation was established from the proceeds of the disposal of Dobell’s
estate, which included an auction of works from his studio. Dobell’s work had
become increasingly popular with collectors, and the sale was held three years
after his death, at the (then) new Sydney Opera House, ensuring the greatest
possible attention. It was also the first auction conducted by Sotheby’s in
Australia.
In his will, Dobell suggested a broad range of possible activities for the
foundation, including the establishment of an art prize or prizes, but his
intention was to allow the trustees of the foundation to use their own judgment
in allotting funds to various projects for the encouragement of Australian art
and artists. Over the years the foundation has sponsored many diverse projects.
The Dobell Prize for Drawing at the Art Gallery of NSW
was largely the initiative of one of the foundation directors, James Gleeson.
Established in 1993, it pays due recognition to the importance of drawing in
William Dobell’s art, as well as encouraging excellence in draughtsmanship by
artists working now.