Award winning architect Mark Howlett maintained a passion for both art and socialising with equal vigilance, resulting in a great diversity of friendships. Through his association with various, mostly mid-career artists, he developed a concern that despite their apparent successes they were often unable to eke out a living from their work. It was this concern that became the impetus for a scheme that has inadvertently evolved into an extremely successful method of art investment.
In 1991, while sipping and supping with friends, Mark conceived a bold and innovative plan to assist the well-known (though struggling) artist, George Haynes. Drawing on George's fine reputation as an artist, Mark sought to inspire a group of friends and associates to contribute to a one-off fund that would enable George to travel overseas for 6-12 months and produce a body of work that could be divided amongst them on his return.
Mark's infectious enthusiasm and charm quickly resulted in a syndicate that was willing to give it a try. The first subscribers signed up on the basis of a phone call or a handshake, and George left for France in May of 1991. Sadly, Mark's untimely death in August of that year meant that he would not see his idea come to fruition
To honour Mark's intentions, a few of his friends decided to formalise his brilliant yet simple idea. The Mark Howlett Foundation (MHF) was born. George returned to Perth and became the first commission. The number of subscribers was increased to 20 and in mid-1992, at a highly spirited dinner and exhibition at the Moores Building, Fremantle, each of the subscribers received an original drawing and a set of lithographs. The second artist, Giles Hohnen, was proposed as the next recipient and the response was overwhelming.Since project #2, each subscriber has received an original artwork and a suite of editioned works for their investment.
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It was the unquestioning nature of the enthusiasm that gave birth to and sustains the MHF. It lies in a three-way synergy between the artist (based on their track record), the board (and its unique blend of talents), and the trust of each subscriber. The Foundation's achievements were recognised through the Premier's Most Innovative Sponsorship for the Arts Award in 1996. A sense of history is developing for the MHF and increasingly the commissions are gaining importance in public and private collections across Australia. An exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia to celebrate 10 years of MHF commissions was held in 2001 and the National Gallery of Australia and numerous public collections acquire works each year. |