Art & Design

Dr Peter Elliott AM is a remarkable Australian. One of a dynasty of medical professionals, Peter is a highly decorated and honoured specialist in the field of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. But it is as a collector of art that Peter Elliott is best known, with a passion and lifelong obsession as a patron, mentor and confidante to generations of Australian artists and art dealers. He learned about art in his parent's home, building on their interest and knowledge and passing that enthusiasm on to further generations of the Elliott clan. He has been generous in making his vast collection available to a wider audience and, in his declining years, has made provision to ensure it is available for the benefit of the wider Australian community. His collection contains many masterpieces of Australian art, as well as fascinating sub-collections, ranging from Pacific and Melanesian tribal art, to European antiques, sculpture and contemporary Australian Aboriginal art of the highest quality. This publication brings into focus an extraordinary collection of art and the exceptional individual who brought it together. AUTHOR: Gavin Fry is a writer and art historian, the author of more than a dozen books on Australian art and history. Recently retired after a lifetime working in Australian museums and educational institutions, he has specialized in the art of the twentieth century, maritime painting and the depiction of Australians at war. A graduate of Monash and Leicester universities, he is based in Newcastle, New South Wales, where he actively pursues interests in writing, publishing, painting and the world of classic cars. ILLUSTRATIONS: Colour