Contemporary cultural precinct HOTA, Home of the Arts announced today a $1million donation from Mr. Elias Jreissati AM KJGC, Chairman of Bensons Property Group and a longtime supporter of Australian arts.
The donation is one of the largest in HOTA’s recent history and comes off the back of an ongoing partnership between HOTA and Benson’s Property Group.
“Art provides us with knowledge. It captures the thoughts, talent, efforts and aspirations of the artists and delivers their life’s work to us, to enjoy, at our leisure,” Mr. Jreissati said.
“HOTA marks a significant milestone in the maturity and growing sophistication of the Gold Coast as a major Australian city. A city to live in and not just visit.
“Bensons Property Group has always been committed to giving back to the community from which it draws its success. I am honoured to be able to make a small, but meaningful contribution to support a public institution that will enrich the fabric of this city for generations.
“The Gold Coast is blessed with natural beauty and wonderful people. I encourage others to step forward, and support HOTA now, when it matters most so that it can comfortably deliver on its wonderful mission.”
“HOTA is an evolution with many more chapters yet to be written in the storybook. I know that our arts and cultural community, and our city’s cultural heartland, will welcome this gift from such a generous Australian family.’’
In recognition of the donation, Gallery 4 will be named The Jreissati Family Gallery.
“Generosity comes from the heart and to see the Jreissati family make such an incredible philanthropic gift to our HOTA Gallery is both inspiring and touching,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
“This is an extraordinary act of philanthropy,” said HOTA Chair Jackie Trad.
“The generosity of the gift is not only a testament to Mr. Jreissati’s belief in the importance of art for our communities, but a validation of HOTA and our role in the growing cultural landscape on the Gold Coast.”
HOTA is the centerpiece of the City’s Cultural Precinct Masterplan, and last year reached a milestone opening the new $60.5 millon HOTA Gallery, now Australia’s largest public gallery outside a capital City.
“As if the family’s generous donation wasn’t enough, they have also loaned 31 incredible works from their private collection for an exhibition,” said HOTA CEO Criena Gehrke.
“The Jriessati family are showing great philanthropic and community leadership in their generosity, which will continue to help HOTA as it evolves into a precinct of national and international significance.”
The works from the private collection will be presented in an upcoming exhibition, McCubbin to Smart: Australian Painting, which will be open to the public at HOTA Gallery from Saturday 26 November 2022.
“Audiences will get to view over 100 years of Australian painting,” said Director of HOTA Gallery & Visual Arts, Tracy Cooper-Lavery.
“The exhibition will showcase some of Australia’s most recognised 19th and 20th Century artists including Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton, Rupert Bunny, John Brack, Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Jeffrey Smart.”
The exhibition will close on Sunday 5 February 2023 – just prior to the opening of HOTA’s first international exhibition, Pop Masters: Art from The Mugrabi Collection, New York on Saturday 18 February 2023.
Chevron One Residences, the latest stunning architectural project developed by Bensons Property Group, is the exclusive Principal Partner of Pop Masters.
EXHIBITION DETAILS:
McCubbin to Smart: Australian Painting
Presented by HOTA, Home of the Arts
Date: Sat 26 November 2022-Sun 5 February 2023 Venue: Gallery 4, The Jreissati Family Gallery HOTA Gallery, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise Tickets: Free
Opening Hours: 10am-4pm daily
Spanning over 100 years of Australian painting, McCubbin to Smart is a compelling representation of works from some of the country’s most recognised 19th and 20th century artists, drawn from the significant collection of the Jreissati family.
From Frederick McCubbin’s majestic bush scenes to Judy Cassab’s expressive portrait and Jeffrey Smart’s stark modernist composition, this exhibition documents the unique ways in which artists have recorded the world around them.
Exploring the continuities and shifts in landscape, still life and figurative art from the turn of the century to the era of free experimentation, McCubbin to Smart reflects on how the impact of living in this incredible country has led to ever-expanding modes of expression.
HOTA would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Jreissati family to this exhibition and their generous support.