In my experience, an early talk by the curator of the latest National Library exhibition has always been a favourite event for members of the Friends living in Canberra. The next in the series will feature curator Tim Fisher talking about the flamboyant artist Mortimer Menpes, who was also a most successful supplier of hothouse grapes, tomatoes and carnations to the Covent Garden markets. Born in South Australia, Menpes travelled to England where he became a protégé and acolyte of James McNeill Whistler, with whom he shared an interest in the Japonaisant movement. Later, Menpes became proficient in the art of reproduction, and Tim will reveal how the 38 paintings after the ‘Great Masters’, now in the National Library, came to be part of a collection of 50 gifted to the Commonwealth as ‘a thank-offering to my native land’. The talk, followed by a gallery walk and afternoon tea, will be an agreeable way to spend a Sunday afternoon in winter. The date is 11 August, so please book without delay. §§§ When I was talking to Paul McShane about the Australian Festival of the Book, held in Bowral last April, he came up with an offer that might be of real interest to those Friends who collect and read rare and second-hand books. Paul runs BibliOZ (www.biblioz.com.au) and will offer National Library Friends a 10 per cent discount on purchases made, as well as giving them Preferred Client accounts free of charge—normally there is a $55 set-up fee. (All you have to do when registering online is tick the Preferred Client field and remember to insert FONLA10% in the Code field.) Yet another benefit of belonging to the Friends of the National Library!
§§§ A reminder that Fred Chaney, a man whose social conscience took him beyond politics, will deliver this year’s Kenneth Myer Lecture on 26 September. Book early through the Friends general phone number (02 6262 1551) to avoid disappointment. §§§ This is my last column as Executive Officer of the Friends before I return to my career in editing. I have enjoyed being with you for the last two-and-a-half years, and am gratified to see how membership figures and attendance at functions have risen. I leave you now with a photograph of those who, on a cold morning in June, embarked on that fabulously successful Friends journey ‘In the Footsteps of Burke and Wills’. Thank you for having me. Lee Kirwan |
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