The first ever public exhibition surveying the art of much-loved Tasmanian artist Michael McWilliams opens this weekend at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG), with his quirky and whimsical works set to delight and challenge visitors.
Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliams explores McWilliams’ life and career of more than 30 years and his place in the canon of Australian and international art.
The exhibition celebrates and showcases McWilliams’ passion for the Tasmanian landscape, with his works projecting a great affection for his subjects. Wild creatures including Tasmanian devils, pademelons, swift parrots, bandicoots, thylacines and native hens interact with introduced species in familiar landscapes.
Often humorous and joyful, his art also carries a darker observation on human impact on the environment.
City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said Michael McWilliams’ art is quintessentially Tasmanian and a must-see for Launceston residents and visitors.
“Michael is a Launceston local and we should all be incredibly proud to have an artist of this calibre born, living and working here,” Mayor Garwood said. “His artworks are amazing – they’re fun, they’re beautiful but also thought-provoking – something people of all ages can engage with. They will speak to every Tasmanian and indeed every Australian.”
Under development for more than two years, Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliams brings together 100 works spanning 33 years from 1991 to 2024 at the Art Gallery at Royal Park. Most of the works are on loan from private homes and collections, with others coming from public galleries around Australia.
One of Australia’s most successful and widely recognised artists, McWilliams was awarded the inaugural Glover Prize in 2004 and has been a finalist 12 times. He also won the South Australian Museum’s Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize in 2005 and 2008 and was a finalist in the 2008 Wynne Prize and the 2016 Archibald Prize.
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
General Manager Creative Arts and Cultural Services Shane Fitzgerald said the exhibition is part of QVMAG’s commitment to showcasing and celebrating living artists in Tasmania.
“This is a once-in-a lifetime exhibition for QVMAG, for the artist and for visitors,” Fitzgerald said. “Michael is incredibly loved by collectors and indeed anyone who has seen his work. He is also prolific.
“We estimate that there are more than 2,000 of his works out there, so creating a representative survey of his work was a huge challenge for our team. We’re grateful for the help and support from collectors and commercial galleries that have represented Michael – and indeed from Michael himself and his partner.
“Working with Michael has been an absolute pleasure. It’s a real honour,” Fitzgerald said.
Michael McWilliams said the experience of working with QVMAG on the exhibition has been completely different from any of his past exhibitions.
“With a normal exhibition at a commercial gallery, it’s a new body of work,” he explained. “You see a work being sold and then you never see it again. This one contains paintings from my past. It’s like seeing old friends again. A retrospective usually happens once someone is dead, so to have this while I am alive and I can enjoy it is pretty amazing.”
A gentle protagonist
While there are many serious themes that permeate McWilliams’ art, including destruction of habitat, biodiversity loss and the impact of industry on the Tasmanian landscape, there is also a profound sense of joy in his paintings.
“Michael really is a gentle protagonist – hence the title of the show,” said Fitzgerald. “He disarms us with visually seductive imagery while actually sharing with us some very serious messages about what's been occurring in Tasmania since colonisation.”
As well as Tasmanian wildlife, domestic and invasive species also feature in McWilliams’ art, including sheep, cattle, cats and pugs – in particular, a pug named Elizabeth.
“When you visit the exhibition, look carefully at his works,” Fitzgerald said. “Many of his paintings feature thylacines, some obvious, others hidden. You'll also notice the animals’ eyes watching you as you move around the gallery.”
Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWiIliams is open from 14 December 2024 until 23 March 2025 at the Art Gallery at Royal Park and entry is free.