Art And Soul

Sydney architect and new Foundation chair of the MCA Nick Tobias sees beauty not only in buildings but also in the act of helping construct a forward-looking public collection of Australian art.

- Kristina Soljo

So Nick, you've taken on a new role at the museum of contemporary art? Yes, over the past 15 years I’ve had various roles. Early on, I was involved in setting up the MCA’s Young Ambassadors program and was on the committee. About seven years ago, I joined the MCA Foundation. Then two years ago, I became a board director and now I’m the chair of the Foundation. So it’s been a long association – and it has been beautiful. The MCA is an institution that focuses on living Australian artists: that’s what it collects and predominately shows. One of the many contemporary Australian artists I really admire is Shaun Gladwell [1]. We’re not dissimilar in age, so I’ve feel a bit like my life and career has grown alongside his.

WHO ELSE IS IN YOUR PERSONAL COLLECTION? I have some beautiful works by Coen Young [3], Lillian O’Neil [7], Daniel Boyd – his urban indigenous multimedia art is incredible – and Fiona Lowry. She’s an artist whose work I bought years ago, and who just keeps coming back with impressive pieces.

OK, SO HOW'S YOUR HOUSE GOING? My house is good. In three weeks I should move in. The outside is probably another three weeks behind that.