RACV LECTURES: MARGARET PRESTON & SRI LANKA
TWO RACV LECTURES: Profiling Margaret Preston & Destinations: : Sri Lanka – “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”
Margaret Preston is rightly recognised as one of the key figures in Australian art history. Margaret Preston (1875–1963) pioneering Australian modernist painter and printmaker helped to shape the nation's visual identity by championing a distinctively Australian national art. She fused “European Post-Impressionism with Japanese design principles, and famously transformed native flora and landscapes into bold, graphic, and vibrant modern compositions.” This year the National Gallery of Victoria will present a major retrospective exhibition on this much admired artist at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square. The exhibition will run from 4 September 2026 – 31 January 2027. This lecture will provide a perfect background to the exhibition as it considers the life and work of this important artist. “Margaret Preston’s work continues to inspire and generate debate, emphasising her important contribution to Australian art of the twentieth century.” This lecture will allow us to reflect on art in the context of the story of our nation’s artistic history.
Destinations: : Sri Lanka – “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”
We are launching a new series of occasional lectures called Destinations, and our first destination is Sri Lanka that beautiful tropical island nation in South Asia set in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", it features an incredible mix of ancient temples, green tea farms, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife like elephants. Indeed, “it has a rich recorded history spanning over 3,000 years, shaped by early Indo-Aryan and Dravidian migrations from India, the arrival of Buddhism, centuries of colonial rule, and a modern struggle for stability. Its strategic location in the Indian Ocean made it a vital ancient trade hub. It is very easily accessed from Australia.” The people are warm and welcoming and very proud to show off their country. Kenneth Park our inveterate traveller will introduce you to Sri Lanka; a wonderful holiday destination.
Includes two lectures and refreshments
Margaret Preston is rightly recognised as one of the key figures in Australian art history. Margaret Preston (1875–1963) pioneering Australian modernist painter and printmaker helped to shape the nation's visual identity by championing a distinctively Australian national art. She fused “European Post-Impressionism with Japanese design principles, and famously transformed native flora and landscapes into bold, graphic, and vibrant modern compositions.” This year the National Gallery of Victoria will present a major retrospective exhibition on this much admired artist at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square. The exhibition will run from 4 September 2026 – 31 January 2027. This lecture will provide a perfect background to the exhibition as it considers the life and work of this important artist. “Margaret Preston’s work continues to inspire and generate debate, emphasising her important contribution to Australian art of the twentieth century.” This lecture will allow us to reflect on art in the context of the story of our nation’s artistic history.
Destinations: : Sri Lanka – “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”
We are launching a new series of occasional lectures called Destinations, and our first destination is Sri Lanka that beautiful tropical island nation in South Asia set in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", it features an incredible mix of ancient temples, green tea farms, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife like elephants. Indeed, “it has a rich recorded history spanning over 3,000 years, shaped by early Indo-Aryan and Dravidian migrations from India, the arrival of Buddhism, centuries of colonial rule, and a modern struggle for stability. Its strategic location in the Indian Ocean made it a vital ancient trade hub. It is very easily accessed from Australia.” The people are warm and welcoming and very proud to show off their country. Kenneth Park our inveterate traveller will introduce you to Sri Lanka; a wonderful holiday destination.
Includes two lectures and refreshments
Thursday 1 October 2026 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM (UTC+10)
Location
RACV CITY CLUB
501 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE 3000
Contact Details
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RACV LECTURES: MARGARET PRESTON & SRI LANKA
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