H C Coombs Collection of Australian Fine and Decorative Arts

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Collection summaryNamed after Herbert Cole Coombs, the first Governor of the Reserve Bank (1960-68), the collection reflects his support and promotion of Australian culture during a period of limited institutional patronage. The nucleus of the collection originated during his Governorship and that of his successor, John Phillips (1968-75), with further acquisitions continuing in reduced scope and number. The collection is now closed except for incidental additions.

The construction of the Reserve Bank's Head Office in Sydney’s Martin Place (1964) provided opportunities for the commissioning and acquisition of artworks, furnishings and design objects that complemented the building’s Modernist architecture and answered the movement’s interdisciplinary approach to the arts . Under Coombs' leadership, the Bank developed a collection policy that recognised the value of Australian art and design as a record of the nation's creativity, identity and aspirations. Early acquisitions also included First Nations artworks from communities across Arnhem Land, the Tiwi Islands, Central Australia and other regions, as well as artworks associated with the design and development of Australia's banknotes.

The collection encompasses a broad range of artistic media, including paintings, sculpture, works on paper, First Nations bark paintings, and decorative arts including furniture, ceramics and textiles. Collectively, these works document significant developments in Australian artistic practice and provide insight into the cultural, social and historical contexts in which they were created.

The H C Coombs Collection of Australian Fine and Decorative Arts represents a distinctive record of Australian artistic achievement and the Reserve Bank's longstanding contribution to the nation's cultural heritage. Through its breadth of media, subjects and makers, the collection offers insight into the role of public institutions in supporting and preserving the nation’s culture.

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Search within this series Series titleH C Coombs Collection of Australian Fine and Decorative ArtsContents dates1916–2022CreatorVarious artists and designersLocation of physical itemsReserve Bank of Australia, SydneyPhysical formatPaintings, sculpture, works on paper, First Nations bark paintings, and decorative arts including furniture, ceramics and textilesAccessTo access records not available on Unreserved contact the Archives

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