Kluge-Ruhe › Aboriginal Art Collection

What Will Last Beyond Today: John W. Kluge's Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art

The current exhibit at Kluge-Ruhe is entitled What Will Last Beyond Today: John W. Kluge’s Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art. This exhibit is on display from August 22 through December 20 , 2009. The exhibit follows Kluge’s collecting history, including the acquisition of the Ruhe Collection from the estate of University of Kansas professor Ed Ruhe in 1993. As a collector, Kluge sought out a broad range of styles of Aboriginal art – both traditional forms and artistic innovations. Through several notable commissions from community art centers like Bula’bula Arts in Ramingining and Injalak Arts and Crafts in Oenpelli, Kluge raised awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal art. The exhibit also features a film, produced by Tussi Kluge, which depicts Kluge’s formative years and business success as the founder of Metromedia Corporation, his interest in Aboriginal art and his legacy of philanthropy.