Public lecture questions artist’s perspectives on colonial life

Art historian Dr Mary Eagle will deliver the 2015 Mayne Centre Lecture this week at The University of Queensland.

Dr Eagle’s lecture, ‘Imperturbable Mr Earle’s visit to New South Wales’, will examine how early nineteenth century artist Augustus Earle’s depictions of life in the Australian colonies resonates with contemporary life.

“Augustus Earle’s portrayals of colonial life, painted close to 200 years ago, continue to evoke interest among scholars from around the world,” Dr Eagle said.  

“Earle’s paintings use irony and dissociation to prod viewers away from their comfortable prejudices regarding class, race, politics and morality – topics which have enduring currency in modern society.”

UQ Art Museum Director Dr Campbell Gray said the Mayne Centre Lecture had had a contemporary focus in recent years, but the 2015 lecture provided an opportunity to delve into the nation’s past through visual art.

“Dr Eagle’s lecture will take us back to the heart of the Australian colonies and make us consider and question our historical perspectives, seen through the eyes of artist Augustus Earle,” Dr Gray said.

The Mayne Centre Lecture is a free public event. It will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 26 August in the UQ Art Museum, James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre (Building 11), St Lucia campus.

Media: Sonia Uranishi, +61 409 387 623, sonia@soniauranishicommunication.com or Sebastian Moody, +61 7 3346 8761, s.moody@uq.edu.au.