Aboriginal art may burn

One of Australia’s largest collectors of Aboriginal art is threatening to burn his collection. Gordon and Elaine Syron have amassed $1.5 million of art pieces over the last few decades but have no place to store them. Mr Syron said this is one of the country’s most significant collections of indigenous works and no one has stepped in to preserve them. He’s exasperated by the lack of support and is threatening to destroy the art.

Elaine Syron, one of the featured artists, said the search for benefactors is becoming desperate.

“The emergency is that a third of the artworks and photographs are stored in a barn in Gosford and must be moved within 10 days. The art is being damaged from heat and the humidity,” she said.

“We do not have transport or a place to store these artworks.”

Two days ago the Syrons spoke to Daryl Maguire MP, the Whip of NSW Parliament, about an emergency rescue plan.

Mr Maguire has appealed to several parties to provide a home for the collection.

The latest news for the displaced artworks comes just days after renewed calls for the development of an Indigenous Cultural Centre in Barangaroo.

Despite the Syrons’ history with lobbying the Barangaroo Delivery Authority Board to create a centre for Indigenous culture, discussions have largely ignored the collection and its state of flux.

A number of artistic and political luminaries have stood behind the Syrons’ cause.

A senior curator from the National Museum of Australia, Margo Neale said: “Over the years, a succession of prime ministers and politicians have spoken of the need for an Indigenous Keeping Place or cultural centre. The Syrons’ collection is already formed, largely catalogued and ready to go. It is a gift waiting to be housed as part of a larger cultural precinct.”

Retired Australian high court judge, the Hon. Michael Kirby was among the speakers during a conference on the future of the collection earlier this year. He told the Syrons that such a collection should be preserved. “The Collection ought to be placed with honour and properly safeguarded as an indication of the beauty of Indigenous art in Australia,” he said.

Sheryl Connors-Young, the manager of Indigenous programs at the Australian Museum also lauded the cultural importance of the collection.

“With both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artworks of many mediums, including some internationally renowned artists, this collection is the ideal foundation for the National Centre.”

Other supporters include, Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, The Museum of Contemporory Art, the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, The Anglican Catholic Church and the Hon. Kristina Keneally MP.

The Syrons are still looking for benefactors and space for the art.

More information can be found at www.sellingoffablackfellasdream.com