Betty Churcher
Encyclopedia
Betty Ann Churcher, AO
(née
Cameron) (born 11 January 1931 in Brisbane, Australia) is best known as director of the National Gallery of Australia
from 1990 to 1997. She was also a painter in her own right earlier in her life. She won a travelling scholarship to Europe and attended the London Royal College of Art
. She received an MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art
, University of London
. in 1977.
From age 7 to 15, she attended Somerville House School paid for by her grandmother. She left school after grade 10, because her father didn't think she needed a higher education. Between 1972 and 1975, Churcher was art critic for The Australian
newspaper. She was the Dean of School of Art and Design, Phillip Institute of Technology (now Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
) between 1982 and 1990, and director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia
from 1987 to 1990. She was then appointed director of the Australian National Gallery. She has hosted several television shows in the 1990s and written several books, including The Art of War about war artists. Her son, Peter Churcher
, was Australia's official war artist in the War on Terrorism
.
While director of the National Gallery, she was dubbed "Betty Blockbuster" because of her love of blockbuster exhibitions and for her love of movies. Churcher initiated the building of new galleries on the eastern side of the building, opened in March 1998, to house large-scale temporary exhibitions. She changed the name of the Gallery from the Australian National Gallery to its current title. During her period the Gallery also purchased Golden Summer, Eaglemont by Arthur Streeton
for $3.5 million. This was the last great picture from the Heidelberg School
still in private hands.
In 1996 a portrait of Churcher painted by her son, Peter Churcher
and titled Betty at Home was a finalist in the Archibald Prize. The prize is awarded for the "best portrait painting preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics". Davida Allen
painted a portrait of her in 1990, titled Hey Betty.
Churcher now dedicates her time to displaying hidden artworks and lesser known acquisitions of the National Gallery of Australia in a television program called "Hidden Treasures" on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
. Betty is married to Roy and has four sons, Ben, Paul, Peter and Tim. She seven grandchildren: Isabel, Lucas, Saul, Charlotte, Toby, Reuben and Oliver.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Cameron) (born 11 January 1931 in Brisbane, Australia) is best known as director of the National Gallery of Australia
National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia is the national art gallery of Australia, holding more than 120,000 works of art. It was established in 1967 by the Australian government as a national public art gallery.- Establishment :...
from 1990 to 1997. She was also a painter in her own right earlier in her life. She won a travelling scholarship to Europe and attended the London Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
. She received an MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art
Courtauld Institute of Art
The Courtauld Institute of Art is a self-governing college of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. The Courtauld is one of the premier centres for the teaching of art history in the world; it was the only History of Art department in the UK to be awarded a top...
, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. in 1977.
From age 7 to 15, she attended Somerville House School paid for by her grandmother. She left school after grade 10, because her father didn't think she needed a higher education. Between 1972 and 1975, Churcher was art critic for The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
newspaper. She was the Dean of School of Art and Design, Phillip Institute of Technology (now Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
) between 1982 and 1990, and director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Art Gallery of Western Australia
The Art Gallery of Western Australia is a public gallery that is part of the Perth Cultural Centre, in Perth, Western Australia. It is located near the Western Australian Museum and State Library of Western Australia...
from 1987 to 1990. She was then appointed director of the Australian National Gallery. She has hosted several television shows in the 1990s and written several books, including The Art of War about war artists. Her son, Peter Churcher
Peter Churcher
Peter Churcher is an Australian artist. He paints portraits and figures in a realistic style.-Life and work:Peter Churcher was born in Brisbane, Queensland. He is the son of Betty Churcher, who was the director of the National Gallery of Australia from 1990-1997. Churcher is currently living and...
, was Australia's official war artist in the War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
.
While director of the National Gallery, she was dubbed "Betty Blockbuster" because of her love of blockbuster exhibitions and for her love of movies. Churcher initiated the building of new galleries on the eastern side of the building, opened in March 1998, to house large-scale temporary exhibitions. She changed the name of the Gallery from the Australian National Gallery to its current title. During her period the Gallery also purchased Golden Summer, Eaglemont by Arthur Streeton
Arthur Streeton
Sir Arthur Ernest Streeton was an Australian landscape painter.-Early life:Streeton was born in Mount Duneed, near Geelong, and his family moved to Richmond in 1874. In 1882, Streeton commenced art studies with G. F. Folingsby at the National Gallery School.Streeton was influenced by French...
for $3.5 million. This was the last great picture from the Heidelberg School
Heidelberg School
The Heidelberg School was an Australian art movement of the late 19th century. The movement has latterly been described as Australian Impressionism....
still in private hands.
In 1996 a portrait of Churcher painted by her son, Peter Churcher
Peter Churcher
Peter Churcher is an Australian artist. He paints portraits and figures in a realistic style.-Life and work:Peter Churcher was born in Brisbane, Queensland. He is the son of Betty Churcher, who was the director of the National Gallery of Australia from 1990-1997. Churcher is currently living and...
and titled Betty at Home was a finalist in the Archibald Prize. The prize is awarded for the "best portrait painting preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics". Davida Allen
Davida Allen
Davida Frances Allen , is an Australian painter, film maker and writer.-Career:Allen studied under Betty Churcher at the Stuartholme School, Brisbane and later under Roy Churcher at Brisbane Central Technical College...
painted a portrait of her in 1990, titled Hey Betty.
Churcher now dedicates her time to displaying hidden artworks and lesser known acquisitions of the National Gallery of Australia in a television program called "Hidden Treasures" on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. Betty is married to Roy and has four sons, Ben, Paul, Peter and Tim. She seven grandchildren: Isabel, Lucas, Saul, Charlotte, Toby, Reuben and Oliver.
External links
- Hidden Treasures with Betty Churcher
- Biography
- Biography by Glenn R. Cooke, in Dictionary of Australian ArtistsDictionary of Australian ArtistsThe Dictionary of Australian Artists was the outcome of a project begun in the 1970s at the University of Sydney under the leadership of Bernard Smith and funded by the Australian Research Council...
- Educational Resources involving Betty Churcher