Sunday Reed

Sunday Reed was a prominent figure in the Australian art world, known for her association with notable artists such as Charles Blackman, Sidney Nolan, and Albert Tucker. She was a key figure in the development of the Heide Circle, a group of artists and intellectuals who gathered at her home, Heide II, in Bulleen, Victoria. Sunday Reed's life was marked by her passion for art and her dedication to supporting emerging artists, including Joy Hester and Arthur Boyd. Her relationship with these artists was deeply intertwined with her personal life, which was influenced by her connections to Melbourne's cultural scene and institutions like the National Gallery of Victoria.

● Early Life

Sunday Reed was born in 1905 in Toorak, Victoria, to a family of wealthy Melbourne socialites. Her early life was marked by privilege and exposure to the arts, with her family frequently attending performances at the Melbourne Theatre Company and visiting exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria. Sunday Reed's interest in art was encouraged by her family, who were friends with notable artists such as Norman Lindsay and Thea Proctor. She developed a particular fondness for the works of Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse, which would later influence her own artistic tastes and the direction of the Heide Museum of Modern Art. Sunday Reed's education took her to St Catherine's School, Toorak, where she developed her skills in French language and literature, and later to London, where she was exposed to the works of Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

● Career

Sunday Reed's career as a patron of the arts began in the 1930s, when she and her husband, John Reed (lawyer), started collecting works by emerging Australian artists, including Russell Drysdale and Donald Friend. The Reeds' collection eventually grew to include works by Georges Braque, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte, which they displayed at their home, Heide II. Sunday Reed's support for the arts extended beyond collecting, as she also provided financial assistance and encouragement to struggling artists, such as Charles Billich and Sali Herman. Her connections to the Australian art world led to friendships with notable figures like Margaret Preston and William Dobell, and she was a frequent visitor to the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Queensland Art Gallery.

● Personal Life

Sunday Reed's personal life was marked by her marriage to John Reed (lawyer), which took place in 1932. The couple's relationship was deeply intertwined with their shared passion for art, and they worked together to support emerging artists and promote the development of the Heide Circle. Sunday Reed's relationships with the artists she supported were often close and intense, and she developed particularly strong bonds with Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker. Her connections to the Melbourne cultural scene also led to friendships with notable figures like Barry Humphries and Germaine Greer, and she was a frequent attendee at events like the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Melbourne Festival.

● Artistic Patronage

Sunday Reed's artistic patronage had a profound impact on the development of the Australian art world. Her support for emerging artists helped to launch the careers of Charles Blackman, Sidney Nolan, and Albert Tucker, among others. The Reeds' home, Heide II, became a hub for artistic activity, with Sunday Reed hosting salons and exhibitions that brought together artists, writers, and intellectuals. Her connections to the Heide Circle led to collaborations with notable artists like Joy Hester and Arthur Boyd, and she was a key figure in the development of the Heide Museum of Modern Art. Sunday Reed's patronage also extended to the Melbourne Theatre Company, where she supported the work of David Williamson and Hannie Rayson, and to the Australian Ballet, where she was a friend of Robert Helpmann and Margaret Scott.

● Legacy

Sunday Reed's legacy as a patron of the arts continues to be felt in the Australian art world. The Heide Museum of Modern Art, which she founded with her husband, John Reed (lawyer), remains one of the country's most important cultural institutions, with a collection that includes works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte. Sunday Reed's support for emerging artists has had a lasting impact on the development of Australian art, and her relationships with notable artists like Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker continue to be celebrated. Her connections to the Melbourne cultural scene have also led to the establishment of institutions like the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Festival, which continue to promote the arts in Australia. Sunday Reed's life and legacy serve as a testament to the power of patronage and the importance of supporting emerging artists, and her influence can be seen in the work of institutions like the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Queensland Art Gallery.