The Arthur Davenport Photographic Collection
The Arthur Davenport Photographic Collection was donated to the James Hardie Library of Australian Fine Art by Len Davenport following the State Library's acquisition of The Johnstone Gallery Archive. Len Davenport had a significant career in the visual arts, starting at the Queensland Arts Council in 1974 and retiring as director of Ipswich Regional Gallery in November 1990. She lives in the Redland Shire where she is an active participant in the local arts community.
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Ignacio Marmol exhibition |
Gallery courtyard |
Arthur Davenport (1925-1980) recorded exhibitions at the Johnstone Gallery on a regular basis from 1964. He and wife Len Davenport first visited the Johnstone Gallery to see the Alan Waldron Collection (9-17 June 1964), and he photographed this exhibition out of his own enthusiasm and interest. However, when Brian Johnstone saw the quality of his images, he commissioned Davenport to undertake all the Johnstone Gallery photography. Described as an advanced amateur rather than a professional photographer, Davenport had real expertise in the photography of artworks, and the quality of his work led Charles Blackman to claim, "This is the work of an artist". (Telephone conversation between Len Davenport and Louise Martin-Chew, 3 December 2002)
The Davenport collection is an invaluable, high quality record of the gallery, its exhibitions and décor. Davenport photographed exhibitions in their entirety, and the slides were used for sales, documentation and promotional purposes. He also recorded the new spaces and facilities that the Johnstones progressively created.
Other Photography
Other images of the Johnstones' exhibitions, home and parties can be found in the The Johnstone Gallery Archive Scrapbooks, Photograph Albums and Correspondence files. These record gallery exhibitions and openings, but also personal occasions, parties and social events that were so much a part of the spirit of the Johnstone Gallery and Brian and Marjorie's lives during the gallery years. Parties and social events during their retirement are also included.
The Davenport collection is an invaluable, high quality record of the gallery, its exhibitions and décor. Davenport photographed exhibitions in their entirety, and the slides were used for sales, documentation and promotional purposes. He also recorded the new spaces and facilities that the Johnstones progressively created.
Last updated: 10th January 2008
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