In Memory of Ray Thorburn (19.9.1937 - 16.3.2023) | The Chartwell Project

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Being

Creative visual thinking is fundamental to us all as human beings as we strive to understand our sense of self and the world. Chartwell seeks to deepen understanding about the importance of art and creative thinking for our future and our wellbeing.

Seeing

Chartwell is an explorer of the visual world. We want to know more about how and what we see. When both the eye and the mind are active, the creative process opens to the artist and viewer. The Chartwell Collection provides the viewer many examples of creative visual thought in action.

Making

Chartwell supports artists as they make and think. Making is an active and connected process, involving the interaction of intention, intuition and intellect with the mediums of the world. Chartwell is making too - making a difference through philanthropy and enabling access to creative activities and research.

Thinking

Chartwell encourages everyone to think about art and the creative process with a commitment to drive an understanding about the significance of the visual arts to general creative thinking. We share a curiosity to know and learn more: an imaginative, ongoing investigation.

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In Memory of Ray Thorburn (19.9.1937 - 16.3.2023)

By Rob Gardiner — 7 May 2023

Ray Thorburn, Modular 4 Series 2, (1970), alkyd on hardboard, 914 x 914 x 50 mm, Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2001.

Here I give thanks for Ray Thorburn’s life (19.9.1937 - 16.3.2023)

When he became Director Waikato Museum of Art and History, I particularly benefited from his assurance that creative visual thinking could be taught. That was very very important to me and to the Chartwell Project. His experience and knowledge enabled the validation and focus which has given strength to me and Chartwell ever since.

Ray’s experience and research into creative visual thinking and education during his academic and professional career was amazing and is widely recognized. Our loss of such a vital contributor to cultural understandings NZ needs at this time is great, and now we mourn his passing.

-Rob Gardiner