Vale Dr Maudie Palmer AO

Image: Dr Maudie Palmer AO, photography by Jacqueline Mitelman

The Monash Art, Design and Architecture community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Maudie Palmer AO - an extraordinary curator, cultural leader and visionary whose impact on Australian modern and contemporary art is immeasurable. Her sudden loss is deeply felt across our faculty and the wider arts community.

Maudie was a pioneering force in the Australian visual arts. As the founding director of both Heide Park and Art Gallery (now Heide Museum of Modern Art) and the TarraWarra Museum of Art, she shaped two of Victoria’s most significant cultural institutions.

Her curatorial insight, architectural vision and unwavering commitment to artists transformed the way contemporary art is presented, experienced and valued. Her leadership left a legacy that continues to guide the field today.

Maudie’s connection with Monash was profound and enduring. As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, she initiated the University’s cross-faculty Birrarung Project, weaving together Indigenous knowledge, post-settlement histories, art, architecture, environment and sustainability. Through this work, and through collaborations with Monash Art Projects, she produced Birrarung: Art Water Refuge Tumbleweed and the film Birrarung, a culture-nature visual poem that captured her lifelong relationship with the river and Country.

Her Birrarung projects, developed with artists and First Peoples curators, continue to influence the Faculty’s understanding of art’s role in environmental responsibility, community engagement and cultural storytelling.

Maudie served on the MUMA Committee and remained a trusted friend, mentor and advocate for our creative disciplines. The University recognised her extraordinary contributions with an Honorary Doctorate in 2021, reflecting a career defined by vision, generosity and the highest standards of cultural leadership.

Beyond her institutional accomplishments, Maudie was steadfast in her belief that art has the power to transform society. She devoted her life to nurturing emerging artists, supporting communities, and advocating for the fragile interdependence of art, culture and the natural environment. Her collaborations with First Peoples artists and leaders were especially meaningful to her, and her commitment to environmental and cultural futures shaped much of her recent work.

“Maudie’s energy, intellect and kindness touched countless people: artists, curators, designers, students, architects, writers, community leaders and friends,” says Professor Mel Dodd, Dean of Monash Art, Design and Architecture.

“She saw the vital role of art in shaping a more thoughtful and connected society. Her impact will continue to be felt across the sector and within the many lives she touched.”

We honour Maudie as an educator, collaborator and visionary whose influence on Monash and on Australia’s cultural life will endure for generations. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, and to all who were inspired by her extraordinary life.