Federation University Australia Art Collection Victoria

The Federation University Australia Art Collection aims to develop and maintain an important public art collection of high quality works of visual art which contributes to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of its student body, staff and wider community. The collection enhances the physical environment by adding colour and liveliness to the University and is displayed throughout our Ballarat, Gippsland (Churchill), Stawell and Horsham campuses. It provides a valuable educational and research experience, as well as a providing potential to mentor.
The earliest works in the collection are associated with the Ballarat Technical Art School, although a coordinated approach to collecting was initiated by the Ballarat Teachers' College. Collection has continued over the decades, and has benefitted by generous gifts under the Cultural Gifts Program.
The collection covers most periods of Australian Art, and while most media is found it in the collection, it is predominantly Australian painting, printmaking and sculpture. Works by renowned Australian artists feature, as well as staff and students associated with Federation University Australia or its predecessor institutions.
Contact Information
- location
- PO Box 663 Ballarat Victoria 3353
- phone
- +61 (03) 5327 9168
Contact
Opening Hours
By appointment
Entry Fee
Free
Location
Artworks are displayed at Federation University Australia campuses at Ballarat, Gippsland (Churchill), Stawell and Horsham. Victoria
2242 items
2242 items

Tapestry - Ballarat University College Tapestry
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Tapestry depicting Ballarat University College symbol and logo.
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Printmaking - Artists Book 1992
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Ink on paper - Portrait of a Woman
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Artwork - Ceramics
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Three lidded pots by Jan Feder made in 1981.
Historical information
Jan FEDER ( - 1981) Jan Feder is an alumna of Federation University having studied ceramics at the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education (now Federation Univesity Gippsland campus). Jan Feder was respected by all students for her diligence and technical ability. Her tragic death in 1981 evoked an immediate response from her peers for a memorial. Students discussed a number of memorial options, such as funds for equipment, scholarships and awards. The decision to commence a collection was made based on the idea that all future students culd benefit from the availability of a collection, whereas only a very few individuals could benefit from a scholarship. Students immediately set about raising money by selling 'seconds' called 'Junque Sales'. a total of $760.00 was raised and the first two works purchased were by Victora Greenaway and Victoria Howlett. Ceramic works were purchased from visiting lecturers who became leading ceramic artists around the world, as well as from many of the staff who taught at the Gippsland Campus. The Artist in Residendence Program assisted the collection, with many resident artists conrtibuting to the Collection (ie Robin Welch, Anna Zamorska, Sandy Brown), as well as international guests. Ceramic events such as 'Strzelecki Spotkanie 1984' and 'Woodfire 86' also resulted on major contributions to the collection.
Musical composition - Music for a Graduation
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Photography - Beecroft Cottage
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Pastel on paper - 'Three big eyes' by Chantel Malcolm
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
pastel - [Table & Deck Chair]
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Data In
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Artwork - Ceramics
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
Heather WILSON (1961- ) Born Rotherham, England. Arrived Australia 1967. Heather Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Art & Craft) from Melbourne State College in 1982, majoring in Ceramics. Artist's statement - "All of my work is hand built and explores animal forms in various ways. Animals have always fascinated me and have been a part of my work for the last 30 years. Whether appearing as dragons, exotic birds or bones, most of my images have a basis in nature. Sometimes it is just a characteristic or a quirky gesture that will inspire a piece, sometimes a photograph or a drawing done at the zoo or museum. Dragons have always given me the freedom to explore an emotion or attitude without the restrictions of a form being right, no one can tell you what a dragon should be like as they are an imaginary beast. All of my work is hand built from earthenware or porcelain. Each of them is unique and they may be similar but no two are ever the same. Most of my vessels are coil built and the dragons and birds are constructed on their bases. The pieces are fired to 1080 C in a gas kiln."
Tapestry - 'Diggers' by David Larwill and the Victorian Tapestry Workshop
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Watercolour on paper - Portrait of girl
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Goauche - 'Ballarat - The Garden City' by Nornie Gude
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
A large goauche poster produced for one of the regular poster competitions held during the 1930s (the exhibition stickers are still evident on the lower left hand side).
Historical information
From 1931 to 1936 Nornie Gude attended the Ballarat Technical Art School, a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. She was accepted into the School at the age of 15 Nornie Gude because she was so advanced in painting. She studied at Ballarat for five years before progressing to Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria School. Nornie Gude won many art competitions, including first prize at the 1936 Melbourne Royal Agricultural Show for still life drawing, and in 1941 became the first woman to win the National Gallery Students Travelling Scholarship. As an artist Nornie Gude held no theories and was once heard to say, “You spend your first 20 years learning technique and the next 20 years losing it”. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Artwork - Printmaking - Goldfields Print Award Poster, 1988
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
The Goldfields Print Award was conducted and sponsored by the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (later Federation University Australia) in conjunction with the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. 1988 was the inaugural award.

Artwork - Ceramics - Woodfired Stoneware Jar by Ben Richardson
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Woodfired stoneware jar purchased from Woodfire 86.
Historical information
Ben RICHARDSON (1951- ) Born Hobart, Tasmania In 1972 Ben Richadson was awarded a B.Commerce degree in 1972 at the University of Tasmania. From 1978-81 he studied ceramics at the School of Art in Hobart and completed a Master of Art, Design and Environment degree in 2004. Starting out with raku, he was converted to working with local materials and firing with wood by Col Levy, Les Blakebrough and Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, who conducted a woodfiring workshop he attended in 1980. In 1982, he set up the Ridgeline Pottery at Sandford, where he still lives and works, teaching two days a week at TAFE. He was a part-time lecturer in ceramics at the School of Art from 1985-95, and a researcher in the development of Southern Ice porcelain from 1995-97. In 2004, he completed a Master of Art, Design and Environment degree and, in the same year, participated in an international woodfiring workshop and conference in the United States. His work is marked with an impressed 'BR'.

Artwork - 'The Harvester' by Marianne Sebetti
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed drawing. University of Ballarat DVC Art Acquisition Award, 2014
Historical information
Marianne SEBETTI (1987- ) Born Vladikavkaz, Russia Arrived Australia 2012 This work was completed while the artist was completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Art) at Federation University Australia.
Inscriptions & Markings
Signed verso in pencil 'Marianne Sebetti, The Harvester, 2014'
Oil on card - A Speck of the Moonlight
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Drawing - Pastel, graphite - [Untitled]
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Watercolour - Image of a backyard
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Ceramic mural - 'Enigmatic Card' by John Gilbert, 1973
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
A large ceramic mural by John Gilbert commissioned for the wall of the E.J. Barker Library. The mural features brown and green glaze with features of indigo. The work has no particular pictorial representation. It is an arrangement of colour and form, designed for enjoyment rather than to analyse. The theme relates to the development of the Universe through basic symbols such as plant forms, fish, birds and to mans development through symbols of science and engineering. The outer edge is symbolic of earths crust being peeled away to reveal science and nature. The mural was completed at John Gilbert's Slate Gallery studio, Mount Helen, and took eight months to make.
Historical information
John GILBERT (1935- ) Born Albury, New South Wales John Gilbert studied at the Ballarat Technical Art School, a division of the Ballarat School of Mines; and Croyden College of Art, London. He was a Senior Lecturer in the Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education Art Department. In the late 1970s he established Old Ballarat Pottery. This work was commissioned by the Ballarat School of Mines Council as part of the architectural design of the Library at Ballarat College of Advanced Education. The library, now known as the E.J. Barker Library, is on the Mount Helen campus of Federation University. The work was laid out as a complete slab, and then cut up for firing. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Pencil on paper - 'Cornwall, UK' by Harold Herbert
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Booklet - Wes Walters: Realism and Abstraction, 2013
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
23 page exhibition catalogue on the Wes Walters retrospective exhibition which was held at the Federation University Post Office Gallery. A number of works depicted at held in the Federation University Art Collection. The catalogue includes an essay by David Thomas
Historical information
Wes Walters studied art at the Ballarat Technical Art School, a division of the Ballarat School of Mines.
Artwork - Printmaking - 'Moon Dog' by Juli Haas
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Unframed lithograph
Historical information
The Gippsland Art School collects examples of limited edition prints to use as a teaching collection. The collection is largely unframed and comprises works from the Print Council of Australia, staff members and former students.
Inscriptions & Markings
4/5
Watercolour and ink - [Mt Helen Campus]
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Artwork - 'Ben Martineaux Exlibris Bookplate' by Ben Martineaux
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed computer assisted design bookplate.
Printmaking - Etching - 'La Veronica' by Harry Halpern
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed etching of a bullfighter.
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Photography - 'Man or Woman?' by Christy Van Elsen
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Black and which photographic portrait with continuous white writing 'man or woman'. TAFE Business Collection
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Oil on board - [Portrait of a Girl] by Neville Bunning
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Portrait of a girl in yellow.
Historical information
Neville Bunning taught Sculpture and ceramics at the Ballarat Technical Art School, a division of the Ballarat School of mines, from 1945 until 1964. During that time he formed the Ballarat Artist's Society, a group that sponsored art and invited modernist artists to visit Ballarat to speak to students and the public. Bunning wrote a weekly column in 'The Courier', where his insightful comments made readers aware of significant trends in art. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Artwork- Ceramic - (Lidded Container) by Sam Drew
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Wheel thrown urn with lid. Glazed inside and out.
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Inscriptions & Markings
'Drew' incised on base.

Artwork - Printmaking - 'Creswick General Store' by Kenneth Jack
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed three block linocut depicting the general store at Creswick.
Bookplate - [Untitled]
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Bookplate depicts what appears to be a dolphin
Historical information
After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, Entrepreneurial art and book collectors such as Edwin Jewell and others commissioned multiple Bookplate designs from a range of well known fine artists. At a 1997 meeting in Melbourne of the Ephemera Society of Australia Edwin Jewell and others announced the formation of the Australian Bookplate Society. The society was instrumental in promoting the art of the bookplate through establishment of the Australian Bookplate Design competition. The competition includes a design award for secondary schools students.
Inscriptions & Markings
This book belongs to Toni N

'Where Shall I Go?' by David McMaster
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
David McMASTER David was a student at University of Ballarat (now Federation University) Arts Academy when this work was undertaken. In 2007 David McMaster completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Arts) Honours at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy, after undertaking a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy from 2004 to 2006, with major studies in Painting, and minor studies in Ceramics and Papermaking.

Artwork - 'Cassandra After the Fact' by Andrew Potter
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This work pays homage to Solomon J. Solomon’s Ajax and Cassandra. Andrew Potter’s painting tells of the subsequent event. Cassandra is undoubtedly a Trojan War casualty, symbolizing the personal pain of widows and rape victims. The flow of the fabric is the allegory of bloodshed, while the empty jar suggests displacement of refugees. Cassandra’s body, as mother earth, is a metaphor for the peaceful landscape that is desecrated by acts of war. The artist uses these iconic figures to exemplify and demonstrate why peace is always better than war. This work was awarded second prize in the 2009 Lucato Peace Prize. During that year Andrew Potter was undertaking the first year of a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Ballarat’s Arts Academy. This item was runner up in the Lucato Peace Prize, and is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Artwork - Printmaking - 'Rapunzel V (purple-arbour)' by Geoffrey Ricardo, 2002
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed limited edition print. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Programme by Katherine Littlewood.
Artwork - Painting - [Mountains] by David Alexander
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Small framed watercolour depicting mountains.
Ink on paper - Life Model
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Artwork - Ceramics - 'Shalom Vessel' by Hedley Potts, 1988
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Handbuilt raku fired earthenware.
Historical information
Hedley POTTS Hedley Potts studied ceramics at RMIT in the early 1960s. In 1974 he received an Australian Council Crafts Board grant to study overseas, and was visiting artist at the Goldsmith's College, University of London in 1979. In 1980s he was working as a senior lecturer in Ceramics at Monash University's Gippsland Campus (now Federation University). In 1995, Hedley Potts was appointed artist in residence at Kingston Arts Centre in Moorabbin. He was one of the artists represented in the Ceramics Victoria Inc 40th Anniversary exhibition in 2009. He incises his works 'Hedley Potts'.

Enamel on marine ply - 'The Tapestry' by Leonard French
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Mural consisting of 4 panels.
Historical information
Leonard FRENCH ( 8 October 1928 - 10 January 2017) Born Brunswick, Victoria In early 1959 Leonard French was commissioned by the Ballarat Teachers' College students to paint a mural. The students were responsible for the payment of the work. When unveiled artist George Bush remarked: "the 1959 students have left something not just to 'oooh' and 'ah' at, but something that is thought provoking, arresting and interesting. This work of art keeps something in reserve and draws you to search for deeper meaning behind the splendour of colour. This mural is not one which will not fade the interest of its beholdes, but one which will provide intrigue for generations to come." This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Watercolour oon paper - Sketchbook
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Printmaking - Etching - 'Burning Land' by Christopher Croft
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed etching
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Bookplate - 'Ex Libris John Gartner'
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Horizontal black bar with John Gartner printed in white. Outline of two letter J and G in the background.
Historical information
John Gartner was a fine printer and publisher, an author, a noted philatelist, and also collector of Australian banknotes and coins. He was born on 16 July 1914 and was largely self-educated, leaving school at fourteen for work following the death of his father. Gartner developed a strong interest in the history of typography and printing and was apprenticed at the Advocate where his father had been a linotype operator. Aged 17, Gartner bought a hand press and some fonts of type, and in 1937 acquired a platen press from which he set and printed his private press books, published under the imprint of The Hawthorn Press. Gartner had a strong collection of Australian bookplates. He also looked at the work of artists overseas and commissioned personal plates. He subsequently built an international collection with preference for artists who printed from wood. His initial searches were in Belgium and Holland.(http://www3.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-84/t1-g-t7.html)
Inscriptions & Markings
Small rectangular marking in bottom right hand corner

Artwork - bookplate - "Ex Libris Rachael Rovay"
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
framed bookplate

Ink on Paper - "Two Magpies" by Neville Bunning
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Ink sketch of two magpies
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Inscriptions & Markings
Signed lower left "Neville M. Bunning"

Artwork - Bookplate - 'Ex Libris Bookplate John Gartner'
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Etching showing a reclining nude woman holding the letter E in the foreground and a printmaker in the background.
Historical information
John Gartner was a fine printer and publisher, an author, a noted philatelist, and also collector of Australian banknotes and coins. He was born on 16 July 1914 and was largely self-educated, leaving school at fourteen for work following the death of his father. Gartner developed a strong interest in the history of typography and printing and was apprenticed at the Advocate where his father had been a linotype operator. Aged 17, Gartner bought a hand press and some fonts of type, and in 1937 acquired a platen press from which he set and printed his private press books, published under the imprint of The Hawthorn Press. Gartner had a strong collection of Australian bookplates. He also looked at the work of artists overseas and commissioned personal plates. He subsequently built an international collection with preference for artists who printed from wood. His initial searches were in Belgium and Holland.(http://www3.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-84/t1-g-t7.html)
Inscriptions & Markings
Signature bottom right hand corner
Printmaking - Collograph - Final Ties
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Printmaking - Lithograph - 'Adagio' by John Brack
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Framed black and white lithograph of a male and female circus performer.
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.
Inscriptions & Markings
Lower edge " 60/200 John Brack"

Artwork - printmaking - A suite of limited edition prints by Paddy Fordham Wainburranga, 2003
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
A suite of seven limited edition prints using the sugar lift aquatint technique. .1) Yalk Yalk Woman Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .2) Walga Walga Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .3) Nammooroddoo Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 Nammooroddoo Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .3) Nammooroddoo Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .4) Mun Gruk Gruk Woman Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .5 Mun Gruk Gruk Man Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .6) Mun Gruk Gruk Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .7) Lightning Man Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 Donated through the Australian Government Cultural Gifts Programme by Katherine N. Littlewood, 2014
Historical information
Paddy Fordham Wainburranga (1930s-2006) Area: Arnhem Land Country: Bamdibu (Bumdubu) near Bulman Station As a child, Paddy grew up in Maningrida an Aboriginal community on the top end of the Northern Territory. He started working as a boy around cattle yards, which finally led him to working as a stockman for 20 years. Before this, he spent much of his time hunting and learning culture and customs from his father and uncles. He could remember being taken to a sacred location where he was told many Dreamtime stories of how customs came to be and why Aboriginal people practice them. Paddy was part of the movement for equal rights for all Aborigines, actively involved in claiming Bumdibu as his traditional land for his clan. He resided over this land as Jungai (caretaker, policeman). Paddy was taught to paint by his father but did not begin to paint seriously until the early 1970s. He was also recognized as a story teller, bark painter, sculpture, dancer, singer and musician. He was familiar with Central Arnhem Land rock and bark painting traditions; however he developed an idiosyncratic style which fused the figurative schema of western Arnhem Land with the narrative capacities of the north-east producing dense pictorial paintings divided into sequential segments.

Printmaking - Woodcut - 'Face the Future II' by Mark Kobal
Federation University Australia Art Collection ,
Historical information
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.