‘A House of Treasures: The David Roche Foundation House Museum.’ Guest Speaker: Robert Reason, Museum Director

A new private house museum for Australia opened its doors to the public in June 2016 containing the lifework of passionate Adelaide collector and international dog judge and exhibitor, David Roche AM (1930-2013). This talk will explore his home, Fermoy House and its interiors, which can be adeptly described as a compressed version of an English country home. Some of his remarkable collection of English, French and Russian art from the eighteenth to early twentieth century will be examined focusing particularly on the rococo and neoclassic periods. The talk will also refer to highlights from the temporary exhibition programme including the current exhibition, Wedgwood: Master potter to the Universe. 

Robert Reason has worked in the Australian art museum sector for over twenty-five years, prior to which he lived in New Zealand. Contemporary and historical decorative arts of Australia and Britain were his focus as a curator at the Art Gallery of South Australia for thirteen years. In late 2015 Robert joined The David Roche Foundation as Senior Curator to assist with establishing a new art museum in North Adelaide. He became Museum Director in 2019 and the house and purpose-built gallery offer a range of guided tours, temporary exhibitions, and public programmes.

Robert has published extensively on the decorative arts and is a Member of The Australiana Fund.