Art & Heritage Collections
One hundred and fifty years ago, accelerated the mining boom and increased the wealth of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's first benefactor, Sir Walter Watson Hughes. Today, Sir Walter Watson Hughes's contribution is marked by the Hughes Building, the Hughes Plaza and two sculptures of Hughes - a marble bust in the Bonython Hall foyer and, most notably, a classical bronze sculpture in front of the Mitchell Building by Francis John Williamson (1833-1920). Williamson received commissions throughout of the British Empire and he is best known for his sculptures of Queen Victoria; he was her favourite sculptor. Our sculpture of Hughes was donated to the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ by the descendants of Sir Walter Watson Hughes in 1906 who felt that he should be commemorated on the grounds of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. Descendants of Sir Walter attended the re-enactment of the statue's unveiling in 2006, and last month attended the re-enactment of the lodgement of Hughes's copper mining claim - a significant event in the history of our ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. Mirna Heruc, Manager, Art & Heritage Collections
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