Acton tapestry to be unveiled at Rockhampton Art Gallery
Published on 04 May 2015
The Acton family has invited the public to view a new artwork celebrating the life of cattle industry icon, Graeme Acton.
The work, Graeme and Comet, is a tapestry created by the Australian Tapestry Workshop and commissioned on behalf of the Acton Family. It will be on display in the Beatrice Hutton room at the Rockhampton Art Gallery from 5 May until Sunday 12 July.
One of Australia’s most successful and best known cattlemen, Graeme Acton (1950-2014) was a passionate and influential leader of the Australian beef industry. A successful entrepreneur who stood up for what he believed in, Graeme will be remembered for his commitment, extreme optimism and endless dedication to community, and industry.
Under his direction, Acton Land and Cattle has become one of Australia's largest and most successful cattle companies, supplying branded beef to both the domestic and export markets. Mr Acton was also a driving force behind the development of Rockhampton's triennial ‘Beef Week’ and was deputy chairman of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach.
Chair of Rockhampton Regional Council’s Communities Committee, Cr Rose Swadling, said that Mr Acton was a tireless worker for the community and the beef industry.
“This tapestry celebrates Mr Acton’s lifetime love of horses and the sport of campdrafting,” she said.
“Rockhampton Regional Council is proud to be able to display this artwork,” She said.
The Australian Tapestry Workshop enjoys an international reputation as a leader in contemporary tapestry. Established in 1976, it is the only workshop of its kind in Australia and one of only a handful in the world for the production of hand-woven tapestries. Using the same techniques employed in Europe since the 15th century, the Workshop’s skilled weavers work with artists from Australia and overseas to produce tapestries that are known for their vibrancy, technical accomplishment and inventive interpretation.
To complement the tapestry the Gallery will also display a small selection of works from the permanent collection.
The Rockhampton Art Gallery is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.