1946

In 1946, Geelong Gallery held an exhibition of arts and crafts works by the students of ten Geelong secondary schools. The exhibition was so popular that after deliberation with the secondary schools, the event was decided to be made a bi-annual arrangement.

The exhibition was opened by businessman and designer Richard (Jimmy) Haughton James, who was said to be ‘staggered’ by the quality of the students’ works. As a gift for their participation, the schools were awarded a copy of Smike to Bulldog: letters from Sir Arthur Streeton to Tom Roberts, a delightful collection of letters exchanged between Australian artists Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts. 

Geelong Gallery also acquired new works throughout the year, including three works by the prominent Australian painter Rupert Bunny. The pictured work Circe and Ulysses depicts the Ancient Greek myth of the same name, which tells the story of the king Ulysses and his men who visited Aeaea, the island of the sorceress Circe. 

Circe used potions and incantations to transform Ulysses’ crew into swine, but was later compelled by him to change them back to human form.