Daniel Thomas AM (b. 1931), is one of Australia’s most distinguished art historians. Tasmanian-born, Thomas was educated at Geelong Grammar before heading to England to study modern history at Oxford, graduating in 1956. In 1958, he was appointed to the position of ‘professional assistant’ at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. By 1978, he was Senior Curator and Curator of Australian art, responsible for shows such as the The Australian Landscape 1802-1975, an official cultural exchange exhibition which toured to China. In 1978, he became the National Gallery of Australia’s inaugural Senior Curator of Australian Art; and between 1984 and 1990 he was Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia. In addition, Thomas has held positions with bodies such as the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council and the Commonwealth’s Heritage Collections Committee. He was an inaugural board member of the National Portrait Gallery; and in 1978 was Commissioner for the Australian exhibit at the Venice Biennale. The author of and contributor to many catalogues and monographs, Thomas has returned in retirement to Tasmania and still writes occasionally on Australian art.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mr Peter Kampfner 2013
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
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