Former students of the Armidale Teachers’ College have fond memories of being surrounded by the masterpieces of the Howard Hinton Collection during their studies. One of the joys was serendipitously coming across another little gem hidden away in a corner. Now this pleasure is open to everyone with the publication of Munificence: the Story of the Howard Hinton Collection. This fascinating book includes essays by Barry Pearce and Caroline Downer, reproductions of over one hundred of the key works from the collection, including paintings, prints and drawings, and a complete catalogue listing of the collection.
This would be a wonderful Christmas present for anyone who was associated with the Armidale Teachers’ College or who has had any connection with the New England Regional Art Museum or indeed who has an interest in Australian art in the first half of the twentieth century. Hinton’s aim when donating art to the Teachers’ College was to allow to the students to be surrounded by art of the highest quality and be inspired by contact with the creativity of Australian artists, many of whom he knew personally.
Hinton’s munificence is all the more intriguing when you consider that he lived in a small room in a Cremorne boarding house surrounded by just half a dozen paintings that he enjoyed briefly before passing them on to Armidale, keeping only 12 on a long term basis. Munificence allows us share his gift and marvel at the wide array of works in the collection. It is available from NERAM for $39.95. (Friends of NERAM $34.95).
To accompany the launch of this book, NERAM is also showing an exhibition “Hinton the Munificent”, which displays the works reproduced in the book on the walls. Come and browse, find your favourites, or discover something new. At your art museum until 1 February 2015.
