The University’s Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, a portfolio comprised of around 1,800 pieces of historical and contemporary Australian art, is open to the University community in both academic and artistic settings. It is also the only collection in the United States dedicated to Aboriginal Australian art.
The collection is located on Pantops Mountain in Charlottesville and was founded in 1997 when John Kluge, a self-made billionaire and Aboriginal art collector, donated his collection to the University. The Collection became one of the largest in the world when it is was combined with that of University of Kansas professor Edward Ruhe, bringing the collective value into the millions.
Kluge’s said his aim in incorporating the collection into the University was to present the artwork to the community while emphasizing its academic value. The Collection is formally under the purview Jody Kielbasa, vice provost for the arts, and receives state funding for operation costs.
Though the Collection is primarily an Aboriginal art exhibit, it is also active in promoting the cultures of all indigenous peoples.
Lauren Maupin, education and program coordinator at the Kluge-Ruhe collection, said these artists are given the opportunity to display their art once here.
“[We] have a festival with local beer and music four times each summer and have an exposition for the artist supported by Council for Arts in Australia,” Maupin said.
The Collection submitted three films to the Virginia Film Festival which were screened Nov. 6 – 9 at various Charlottesville locations.
The films varied in style and content. “Drunktown’s Finest,” a Robert Redford produced drama, explores Navajo identity in America. "Ringtone" examines the way cellphones have impacted the lives of Aboriginal families. And “What We Do in the Shadows,” is a mockumentary about modern-day vampires, filmed by a Maori director.
The Collection engages in the University community in other capacities and is partnered with the Darden School to promote mindful leadership as part of an effort to "to educate leaders to lead with mindfulness,” Maupin said.
Maupin said the Collection is more than just an exhibit and has a significant presence in the community. Around 8,000 people visit the collection annually.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the size and nature of the Kluge-Ruhe collection. It contained 1,800 — not 18,000 — pieces, and presents pieces of historical and modern Indigenous Australian art, not Aboriginal and modern Australian art. It also failed to fully identity Lauren Maupin as the education and program coordinator at the museum.
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