In 1976 a Cringila steelworker made a generous donation to the City of Wollongong, but he was neither elite nor wealthy.
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A gift of more than 100 notable paintings, ceramics and artefacts by the late Lithuanian migrant Bronius “Bob” Sredersas became the founding pillars for Wollongong Art Gallery. His donation was to give something to the children of the community so they would grow up with culture.
As part of the gallery’s 40th anniversary celebrations, an exhibition reacquainting the public to Bob and his influence on the city on Sunday.
“The story of Bob has always interested me for a number of reasons,” exhibition curator Anne-Louise Rentell said. “In terms of a city that’s very much about migrants and people coming from elsewhere to here and making the city what it is, he’s been a major part in transforming it culturally.”
Often people like this were forgotten in time, she said, so the exhibition was about bringing Bob “back to the foreground”.
The gallery opened in 1978, in what is now the Wollongong Youth Centre, before moving in 1991 into its current home in the former council chambers.
Executor of Sredersas’ will Michael Bach said the gallery may not be what it is today without that generous gift from his good friend.
“It just would not have happened as quickly as it has happened – his donation was the catalyst,” he said.
Sredersas was well known to spend his spare time fossicking in galleries and antique shops to enhance his art collection which crammed into every nook and cranny of his tiny fibro cottage.
A lot of artefacts from his life are on show in the interactive exhibition which includes a replica lounge-room in the style of how he would have furnished it.
It runs until September, though Ms Rentell is keen to continue uncovering information about Sredersas’ past – especially from before he migrated to Australia around 1950.
It’s believed Sredersas was part of the Lithuanian secret service until mid-way through WWII. Documents do state that he worked in the Security Department of the Lithuanian Civil Service, but Mr Bach said it was unclear exactly what he was doing in the post-war years until he moved to Australia.
Mr Bach does recall his friend telling him he had been hunted by the Russians and again by the Germans.
In his new country, the quiet art enthusiast was known as the observer, much preferring to stand back and listen rather than steal the spotlight. Though Mr Bach said he was highly intelligent and well educated, with a strong appreciation for culture.
“Bob used to come to our meetings, even though he wasn’t an artist,” said former president of the Illawarra Arts Society Daisy Huckel.
“He appreciated art and loved being in this country and thought anybody who complained about it hadn’t been through what he’d been through in his own country.”
Sredersas also became a familiar figure at Sydney art auctions and known as “Mr Bob”. Artists like Rupert Bunny, James R.Jackson, Will Ashton, Margaret Preston, Fred Leist all became part of his collection.
The Gift: Remembering Bob Sredersas, on exhibition until September 9.
Grand opening Sunday May 27, 12pm to 4pm – with Lithuanian music, dancing, food and refreshments. www.wollongongartgallery.com