Mervyn Horton
Encyclopedia
Mervyn Emrys Rosser Horton AM
(27 July 1917 - 1 February 1983) was an Australian art
editor
, art collector and philanthropist
.
, attending Newington College
(1930–1935) , Stanmore
and the University of Sydney
where he studied engineering.
.
(NSW Division), a Board Member of the National Trust of Australia (NSW)
, a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and an Australian Commissioner for the XIIIth Bienal Internacional de São Paulo.
. The doyen of the Sydney art world for thirty years as a writer, collector, patron and philanthropist, the Mervyn Horton Bequest has to 2006 purchased over $8 million of contemporary art for the Art Gallery of New South Wales. His papers are held by the National Library of Australia
.. It was a condition of Horton's bequest to the Art Gallery of New South Wales that it display annually a painting of himself by Australian artist, Bryan Westwood
. The gallery has not observed this condition.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(27 July 1917 - 1 February 1983) was an Australian art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
editor
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
, art collector and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Early life
Mervyn Horton was born and grew up in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, attending Newington College
Newington College
Newington College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Stanmore, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
(1930–1935) , Stanmore
Stanmore
Stanmore is a suburban area of the London Borough of Harrow, in northwest London. It is situated northwest of Charing Cross. The area is home to Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, high.-Toponymy:...
and the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
where he studied engineering.
Working life
He was a Director of the Katoomba Collieries before joining Ure Smith Publishers and becoming Director of the company and founding Editor of Art and Australia. In 1956 he opened Galleria Expresso, a coffee bar in Rowe Street, SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.
Community involvement
He served as Secretary of the Society of Artists, an Executive Member of the Arts Council of AustraliaRegional Arts Australia
Regional Arts Australia is the national peak body for regional arts organisations throughout Australia. Formed in 1966 as the Arts Council of Australia, it is a federation of the peak non-metropolitan community arts organisations in each of the Australian states and territories. It advocates better...
(NSW Division), a Board Member of the National Trust of Australia (NSW)
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
, a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and an Australian Commissioner for the XIIIth Bienal Internacional de São Paulo.
Legacy
On his death he left substantial bequests to the National Trust and the Art Gallery of New South WalesArt Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of New South Wales , located in The Domain in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was established in 1897 and is the most important public gallery in Sydney and the fourth largest in Australia...
. The doyen of the Sydney art world for thirty years as a writer, collector, patron and philanthropist, the Mervyn Horton Bequest has to 2006 purchased over $8 million of contemporary art for the Art Gallery of New South Wales. His papers are held by the National Library of Australia
National Library of Australia
The National Library of Australia is the largest reference library of Australia, responsible under the terms of the National Library Act for "maintaining and developing a national collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection of library material relating to Australia and the...
.. It was a condition of Horton's bequest to the Art Gallery of New South Wales that it display annually a painting of himself by Australian artist, Bryan Westwood
Bryan Westwood
Bryan Westwood was an Australian artist who won the Archibald Prize twice, once for a portrait of Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. He was born in Lima in Peru. His first commercial exhibition was in 1969....
. The gallery has not observed this condition.
Publications
- Present Day Art in Australia (1969)
- Australian Painters of the '70s (1975)