Lauretta Morton is the first female Director in Newcastle Art Gallery’s 65-year history.
Born in London, Lauretta emigrated to Australia as a young child with her parents, older sister, and brother.
Throughout her life visual arts and leadership have been driving forces.
At 16 she was the youngest student to be accepted into Art School.
She is an Alumni of the University of Sydney, Macquarie University and University of Oxford.
“I feel so fortunate to be in a position where I can support and advocate for artists and the broader Gallery and Museum profession,” she told Newcastle Weekly.
“Providing opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners to foster and grow their careers is at the core of everything that I do, it is important to me to give back wherever I can.”
When I’m not working at the Art Gallery, I love to visit other Art Galleries and Museums, there is always something new to learn and experience.
A favourite quote from American artist Robert Motherwell completely sums it up for me: “Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it.”
Lauretta was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in recognition of ‘outstanding and meritorious service’ to the museums and galleries sector in this year’s 2022 Australia Day Honours.
SAILING
As the daughter of a merchant seaman, for many years sailing was a favourite part of my life. I’ve sailed on racing yachts, clippers, windjammers, and tall ships throughout the world. Being suspended across the bowsprit net under full sail is exhilarating – although sailing through the Strait of Malacca under piracy high-alert was something I wouldn’t recommend – I genuinely thought my husband and I weren’t going to make it through that experience alive
ARTISTS
I have so many ‘pinch me moments’ working with artists that I greatly admire. It was such an honour to be asked this year to ‘sit’ for a portrait by one of my favourite local artists Rachel Milne.
One of my favourite works of art in the Newcastle Art Gallery collection is Life Burst 1964 by our city’s own national treasure, John Olsen AO OBE. No matter how many times I see it – I can’t help but feel immense joy at its boldly coloured, swirling, life force – much like the artist himself!
BOOKS
As an avid book collector, my sentimental favourites would have to be a series from the 70s – the Time Life Library of Art that my parents would mail order for me. These were influential when I was young, I studied the illustrations to make sketches on every piece of paper I could find based on the old masters from each volume.
INVESTITURE
Receiving my Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia at the Investiture Ceremony at Government House, Sydney from Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales was extremely special and one of my favourite days.
HOME
No matter how far I have travelled around the globe, I just can’t imagine living anywhere else. I feel so fortunate to live and work on the traditional country of the Awabakal people. There’s nothing better than enjoying an early morning coffee with my husband and this view from the Awabakal Nature Reserve above Redhead Beach.
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