A Sydney couple's posthumous gift to the Art Gallery of New South Wales has resulted in a striking new sculpture that bridges cultures and architectural eras. James Brownlow and his partner Doug Small, who requested that their generous bequest remain private until after their deaths, have left behind a lasting artistic legacy in the form of a mirror-polished metal and rock installation by renowned Korean artist Lee Ufan.
Small passed away in 2012, followed by Brownlow in 2021, leaving their estate to the Art Gallery of NSW with specific instructions that their donation not be publicized during their lifetimes. Working closely with the couple's executor and gallery officials, their longtime friend and neighbor Joy Wennerbom helped identify the perfect artwork to honor their shared passion for architecture, landscape design, and minimalist Asian art.
The resulting commission, titled "Relatum – dialogue," was carefully craned into position last week in the garden space between the historic sandstone Walter Liberty Vernon building and the gallery's contemporary art campus. The installation consists of two granite boulders positioned on either side of two double-sided polished steel plates, creating what Lee Ufan describes as "a conversation that connects nature with industrial society." One side of the steel plates reflects the new building while the other captures the historic sandstone structure.
"They were very low-key people," recalls 90-year-old Wennerbom, who lived just two doors away from the couple. Brownlow, who worked as an architect, became like a brother to her, regularly inviting her and her husband John to dinner parties and taking her to Sydney Symphony Orchestra performances. Small, the nephew of Sir William McKell – a former Labor premier who later served as governor-general – was a director of Grace Bros department stores. The couple never had children.
Wennerbom fondly remembers the couple's philosophy: "Part of the fun of being with them was it was all about today, the present." This mindset seems particularly fitting given their choice of artist, as Lee Ufan is known for his meditative, present-moment focused approach to art.
The installation represents a significant milestone for the Art Gallery of NSW, marking the first work by Lee Ufan to enter the institution's minimalist art collection, alongside the artist's painting "Response 2023." Lee personally mapped out the new commission using timber and chalk on the floor of the gallery's loading dock during his visit to Sydney last year for his solo exhibition.
"Mr Lee has this very refined minimalist, understated aesthetic that's really sensitive to the environment," explains Melanie Eastburn, senior curator of Asian art at the Art Gallery. "He is an incredibly important artist – I would say one of the most important living artists anywhere in the world. For a collection like the gallery's, which has this great emphasis on minimalism and also Asian art, the one thing that was really missing was Mr Lee."
Eastburn emphasizes the significance of the bequest in making this acquisition possible: "Without the bequest, we would not have been able to commission this sculpture." The timing is particularly crucial as the art gallery faces budget constraints, currently cutting jobs to address a $7.5 million budget shortfall.
Bequests like the Brownlow-Small gift are becoming increasingly vital for the institution's ability to expand its collections and programs, especially given that it receives no government funding for acquisitions. The gallery has recently benefited from several major donations, including New Zealand philanthropist Michael Horton and his late wife Dame Rosie Horton's gift of 193 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks – the largest donation of its kind in the institution's history, collected over 23 years.
Another monumental bequest awaiting the gallery is the Wendy and Arkie Whiteley Bequest, which will eventually bring nearly 2,000 Brett Whiteley artworks valued at over $100 million to the institution. This collection is regarded as one of the most significant cultural gifts in the Art Gallery of NSW's 154-year history.
According to gallery officials, there has been a significant increase in pledges to various funds, including the Major Acquisition Fund and the Art Gallery Trust, as well as direct gifts of artwork. The institution has recorded approximately $40 million in disclosed bequests, with an average donation of about $100,000, though several pledges involve substantial portions or entire estates.
Brownlow and Small were themselves seasoned travelers to Asia who shared a deep appreciation for fine design and were dedicated collectors of Asian art, making their choice of Lee Ufan particularly meaningful. As gallery patron Wennerbom reflects on her friends' legacy, she expresses satisfaction with their decision: "If I had lots of money, I would too. I have grandchildren and other things at the moment, but I think it is a good thing to do."
When asked what the couple would have thought of their enduring artistic legacy, Wennerbom's response captures their distinct personalities: "Jim wouldn't have said much. Doug would have been wholeheartedly pleased." The sculpture now stands as a permanent testament to their quiet generosity and refined artistic sensibilities, creating a dialogue between past and present that they would have deeply appreciated.
