JW Power: Artist, Benefactor, and Legacy

John Joseph Wardell Power (1881–1943), Australian artist, benefactor, and principal bequestor of the Power Institute of Fine Arts. Power’s generous bequest to the University of Sydney not only established the Power Institute but continues to enrich the University’s collections, including the Schaeffer Library.

A medical doctor turned artist, Power trained in London and Paris during the early 20th century. Immersed in the avant-garde, he became closely associated with the European abstractionist movements of the interwar years. His work explored the radical ideas shaping modern art, and today he is recognised as one of the most significant Australian voices in international modernism.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Power’s far-reaching vision laid the foundations for the University of Sydney to become a centre for the study and appreciation of contemporary art. His bequest supports teaching, research, exhibitions, and acquisitions—impacting generations of scholars and artists.

This exhibition "J.W. Power: Art, war and the avant-garde" at the Schaeffer Fine Arts Library, in alignment with ongoing tributes at the Chau Chak Wing Museum and Fisher Library, showcases selected works by JW Power alongside materials reflecting his enduring legacy. Through these displays, we honour his pioneering spirit and celebrate the continuing influence of his gift on the University’s cultural life.