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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Entertainment
Kelly Burke

Brett Whiteley and Sidney Nolan works among former Melbourne lord mayor’s collection to be sold at auction

Brett Whiteley's Reclining Nude (1978) will go up for auction in Melbourne on 24 July
Brett Whiteley's Reclining Nude (1978) will be auctioned in Melbourne on 24 July. Photograph: Andrew Curtis

The former lord mayor of Melbourne Ron Walker was known for his billion-dollar property deals, casino developments and a knack for snaring major sporting events such as the Grand Prix and Commonwealth Games. But tonight a very private passion of the businessman, who amassed an estimated personal fortune of A$978m before his death in 2018, will be on show.

Twenty artworks from Walker’s deceased estate, along with seven Arthur Boyd paintings and one sculpture from the personal collection of the retired Sydney veteran art dealer Denis Savill, will be auctioned off by Smith & Singer (formerly Sotheby’s Australia) in Melbourne. Works by Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan, Charles Blackman and Albert Tucker are also among the trove.

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