Richard Randall Art Studio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Richard Randall Art Studio |
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Richard Randall Art Studio, 2013
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| Location | Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c.1900 |
| Official name: Richard Randall Art Studio, Richard Randall's Studio | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600299 |
| Significant period | c. 1900 (fabric) 1900–1906, 1900 onwards (historical) |
| Significant components | studio – artist's / craftsman's |
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Richard Randall Art Studio is a special building in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens in Toowong, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1900 as a home and art studio for a famous Queensland artist named Richard John Randall. This studio is important because it shows us what an artist's workspace looked like a long time ago. It's also known as Richard Randall's Studio and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as a protected historical site.
Contents
Discovering the Studio's Past
The Richard Randall Art Studio was built in 1900. It was a two-storey timber building that served as both a home and an art studio for Richard John Randall. He lived and worked there for six years until he sadly passed away in 1906 at age 37. The studio was originally located at 72 Cordelia Street in South Brisbane.
After Richard's death, the building was used as a home. In 1988, the top floor of the studio was saved from being torn down. The Brisbane City Council bought it and moved it to Musgrave Park. Then, in 2007, the studio was moved a second time to where it is now, inside the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
Richard Randall's Artistic Journey
Richard John Randall was born in Brisbane in 1869. His parents had moved to Australia from England. Richard and his younger brother George went to the Brisbane Normal School. Richard loved art and took classes at the Brisbane Technical College. He even won awards for his drawing and sculpting! His artworks were shown in big exhibitions like the Ekka in the late 1880s.
In the late 1800s, Queensland's art world was just starting. There weren't many places for artists to show and sell their work. The first art society was created in 1887 to help artists and push for a public art gallery in Queensland.
In 1891, when Richard was 22, he went to England with his mother and brother. While there, he continued his art studies. He was accepted into a famous art school run by Professor Hubert von Herkomer in Bushey, England. Richard spent several years there, even earning a special scholarship. In 1895, one of his watercolour paintings, "The Old Mill," was shown at the famous Royal Academy of Arts.
After art school, Richard worked in London for 18 months. He had his own studio and painted portraits of important people. He also traveled around England and visited Paris to find new ideas for his art.
Building a Special Studio
Richard Randall returned to Queensland in 1899. He wanted to use his skills to help art grow in his home city. He quickly started setting up his own home and studio in Brisbane. He chose a piece of land his father owned in South Brisbane.
The studio was built especially for an artist, not just changed from another building. Its design was likely inspired by the art studios Richard had seen in London. These studios often had a large painting room with big windows and skylights to let in lots of natural light. They also had a special entrance so visitors wouldn't disturb the artist's work.
The Randall studio was smaller than some grand London studios, but it had many similar features. It had a unique "Swiss chalet" look with a steep roof and a bay window. The studio part was on the upper floor, and the living area was below. The main studio room was very large and bright, with a big bay window and skylight. It was considered one of the best private studios in Australia at the time.
Free-standing, purpose-built art studios were rare in Queensland. Most artists worked from regular shops or offices. Richard Randall's studio was special because it was designed just for art.
Richard's Life and Legacy
Once settled in his new studio, Richard Randall started teaching art classes. He taught drawing and painting in different styles. He also welcomed visitors to his studio on Wednesday afternoons to show his latest artworks. He became a popular artist and teacher in Brisbane.
Richard also traveled around south-east Queensland to find new scenes to paint. He was very active in art clubs, even becoming the vice-president of the Queensland Art Society.
Sadly, Richard Randall passed away suddenly in October 1906, at just 37 years old. His death was a big shock to his father, who then spent much of his time promoting Richard's art. The studio and its contents were kept as they were for several years, and people could visit to see his works.
In 1909, Richard's father gave 600 of Richard's artworks to the South Brisbane City Council. These paintings were first displayed in the South Brisbane Library, which became the Randall Art Gallery. This collection grew over time and included many of Richard's works.
In 1925, a sculptor named Charles Lowther created a memorial bust (a sculpture of his head and shoulders) of Richard Randall. It was unveiled at the studio by the Queensland Governor Matthew Nathan.
When the City Council of Greater Brisbane was formed in 1925, they took over the Randall Collection. The paintings were moved to Brisbane City Hall. For many years, the collection was displayed in a large, bright room. However, over time, some paintings were stored poorly or went missing. In the mid-1980s, a big effort was made to find and restore the collection. Today, the Richard Randall collection is part of the Museum of Brisbane art collection.
The Studio's New Life
In 1987, the Richard Randall's Studio was recognized as an important historical building. In 1988, it was almost torn down for a new development. But the Brisbane City Council bought it to save it! Only the top floor (the studio part) was moved to Musgrave Park. It was repaired and renovated, and a small kitchen was added.
In 1990, the studio officially opened as the Richard Randall Studio, part of the Jagera Arts Centre. The council also started an award, letting local artists use the studio for free for a certain time.
By the mid-2000s, the studio needed more repairs. In 2007, it was moved a second time to its current spot in the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. It was officially opened again in 2008. Now, the renovated studio is used for events and exhibitions, and community groups can rent it.
Exploring the Studio's Design
The Richard Randall Art Studio is a small, single-storey timber building. It's located in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, near the car park.
The building stands on timber and steel posts because the ground slopes. A walkway leads from the car park to the front door. There's a timber picket fence and gate, like the one at its original location.
The studio building is about 6 by 14 meters. It has a narrow front and a small porch at the back. The roof is steep and covered with red tiles, with decorative pieces at the top.
Right below the front part of the roof is a large, slanted skylight. This skylight sits above a bay window that sticks out from the building. This window has three parts, with multi-paned glass at the top. Both the skylight and the bay window have blinds to control the light.
The studio has only two other small windows, one on each side. These windows are made of timber and have two sashes that slide up and down.
The front of the building is covered in timber boards. The back porch wall shows exposed timber posts. A modern bathroom has been added to one end of the porch.
A small roof covers the entrance, supported by curved timber brackets. The front door is made of timber and has four panels, with glass at the top.
Inside, the studio is one large room. It's very bright thanks to the big bay window and skylight. A timber wall creates a small entrance area, with shelves on top.
The ceiling is high and curved, showing the timber beams of the roof. The walls and ceiling are lined with timber boards, and the floor is made of polished timber.
The studio has modern features like a rail for hanging pictures, and new light fittings. There's also a small kitchen area in one corner.
The door to the back porch is a modern timber door. The porch floor is covered with linoleum, and the ceiling is also lined with timber boards.
The space under the studio is used for storage and is enclosed with timber slats.
Why the Studio is Important
The Richard Randall Art Studio was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 because it meets several important criteria:
A Glimpse into Queensland's Art History
The Richard Randall Art Studio shows how art and culture grew in Queensland in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was built for a young Queensland artist who had studied in England. This studio represents the belief that Queensland could become a place of great art and inspiration.
The studio has also been important for teaching art. First, Richard Randall himself taught there. Since the late 1980s, it has been a place for workshops and art shows for everyone.
A Rare and Special Building
The Richard Randall Art Studio is a very rare type of building in Queensland. It's one of the only known purpose-built artist's studios from the early 1900s that still exists. Back then, most professional artists worked from regular business places, not special studios like this one.
Showing What an Artist's Studio Is Like
This studio clearly shows what a purpose-built artist's studio should be like. It has one large main room that can be used for many things. It has big, plain walls for hanging artworks. Most importantly, it has carefully placed windows and a skylight to provide the best natural light for painting, which can be controlled with blinds. Its design reflects the ideal workspace for professional artists of that time, similar to studios in London.
Connected to a Key Queensland Artist
The Richard Randall Art Studio has a very special link to the Queensland artist Richard John Randall. He was a popular and important artist who helped advance art and culture in Queensland through his paintings, his teaching, and his involvement in art societies. The studio was designed just for him. It's where he lived, worked, taught, and showed his art for the last six years of his life. Even after he passed away, his works were displayed there for another seven years. The collection of his artworks, given by his family, became the start of the Brisbane City Council's art collection.
Images for kids
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Memorial bust of Richard Randall, 1925
