Australian High Commission
Mauritius
Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Reunion Island (consular)

Australian Government Gifts Robert Malherbe Painting to Mauritian Government on Occasion of 50 Years Celebrations of Diplomatic Relations

The Australian High Commissioner HE Ms Jenny Dee presented a painting by 2018 Archibald Prize Finalist and 2019 Wynne Landscape Prize Finalist Robert Malherbe to the Prime Minister the Hon Pravind Jugnauth on 30 January to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mauritius in 2020.

 

The gift, titled Water Lilies in Pamplemousses Gardens, was painted in situ during Mr Malherbe’s visit to Mauritius in January as part of his exhibition Motherland – a celebration of the diaspora links between Australia and Mauritius with a series of works created by the artist to reflect the diversity of the Mauritian landscapes and its people.

 

Mr Malherbe, born in Rose-Hill and now living in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, returns to Mauritius at age 54 as a leading Australian/Mauritian artist.

 

The visit included an artists’ workshop on 26 January (Australia Day) with leading and emerging Mauritian artists organised by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage and pARTage in the historic SSR Botanic Garden, where the unique Australian indigenous Wollemi Pine also grows, gifted by the Australia Government in 2018 to mark Mauritius 50 years of independence.

 

Water Lillies in Pamplemousses Gardens will be on display at the Caudan Arts Centre until 16 February as part of the Motherland exhibition.

 

31 January 2020