A conceptual neon sign installation by a prominent American artist will make its way from the National Gallery to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, courtesy of the Albanese Labor Government's Sharing the National Collection program.
The luminescent work by Bruce Nauman, The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths, is a neon spiral sign which will be positioned as a centrepiece to the gallery, inviting conversation on contemporary art and the role of the artist.
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, the largest gallery in southeast Victoria, will display the work for two years.
Bruce Nauman is an internationally celebrated American artist whose multidisciplinary practice spans a range of media from sculpture, photography, video, drawing, printmaking and performance.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the initiative continues to give unique pieces in the national collection the opportunity to shine.
"At any point in time 98 per cent of the National Galley's collection is in storage. Art isn't meant to be kept hidden away in storage, it's to be on display and enjoyed.
"Sharing the National Collection has seen amazing works shared right across the country.
"This program is giving thousands of Australians the opportunity to view works of art from our national collection in Canberra, in their local community."
Director of the National Gallery of Australia, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said it was a significant feat to bring this unique work to Mornington.
"The Sharing the National Collection initiative offers opportunities to take contemporary works of art by international artists to regions across Australia.
"Pioneering installation artist Bruce Nauman is known for his thought-provoking work with neon installations, and we look forward to sharing one of his iconic works with the Mornington Peninsula community for the next two years."
Mayor of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Cr Anthony Marsh, said the community is excited to be part of this initiative:
"To have such an important work of international conceptual art at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, sharing the space with local artists, First Nations artists, national artists and VCE students, enables us to create globally relevant conversations in the local context of the Mornington Peninsula. To have an international work in the space for two years also helps us speak to our audiences about art and creativity in an expanded way."
Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia's national cultural policy, with $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen across the country for extended periods.
Regional galleries can register their interest in the loan program here.
Works can be viewed via the National Gallery's website.
