ART
Robert Reason-the recently appointed director at The David Roche Foundation will be responsible for the museum’s collection. Photo: Randy Larcombe
After the untimely death of its inaugural director Martyn Cook, The David Roche Foundation has appointed Robert Reason to take over The David Roche Collection.
BY KAZAD
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA-Robert Reason has been appointed The David Roche Foundation (TDRF) second Museum Director. He will be responsible for the David Roche Collection. Robert has a First Class honors in the history of art from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and a postgraduate diploma of art curatorship and Museum management at the University of Melbourne.
Before this new position, he had curatorial roles at Shepparton Art Museum. In 2002, he was appointed Curator of European and Australian Decorative Arts at the Art Gallery of South Australia. There, he curated and co-curated important exhibitions. In 2008, Robert co-curated the acclaimed Empires and Splendour: The David Roche Collection exhibition. It was through his work that he got to know David Roche very well.
Robert Reason at The David Roche Foundation
In June 2015, a year before the opening of TDRF in 2016, Robert joined the David Roche Foundation as Senior Curator becoming more lately Assistant Museum Director. In his position, Robert worked with Martyn Cook, the museum’s inaugural Director, on a number of important exhibitions including Edo Style: Art of Japan in association with the Art Gallery of South Australia.
After many years of outstanding curatorial practice, Martyn Cook who was Australia’s leading authority on English and European antiques for nearly four decades suddenly died on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Sydney. Many were shocked by his sudden death. Robert took charge soon after Martyn Cook’s death and followed in the path his predecessor had paved for the museum. Since taking over, Robert has been critical in ensuring the highest degree of curatorial rigor has been brought to the outstanding collection that forms The David Roche Foundation.
Robert Reason is a well-tested hand with outstanding curatorial experience. While the museum continues to mourn the sudden death of Martyn Cook, they find spirit that Robert Reason will carry on the tradition set by inaugural Museum Director. Julian Bickersteth, Chair, The David Roche Foundation notes:
Whilst we are all still grieving the untimely loss of Martyn Cook, we know that Martyn would be delighted that his friend and protégé has been appointed to this role. Robert also knew David Roche well and will continue to ensure that David’s extraordinary legacy to the people of South Australia continues to develop and thrive.
About The David Roche Collection
The late David J Roche AM established The David Roche Foundation in 1999. Its main objective is to be the recipient and custodian of the exceptional collection of antiques, paintings and objets d’art accumulated by businessman over his lifetime and to be preserved for future generations.
Born in 1930, David J Roche AM died in 2013. For almost sixty years, he collected art, which has now become the center of The David Roche Collection. The collection spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is remarkable in its quality and range. The collection includes European furniture, ceramics, metalware, clocks, and paintings. Additionally, it contains many luxury works by leading designers displaying exquisite workmanship. They span two centuries of European design from the early rococo of France to Faberge in Russia.
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