Renowned painter named Doctor of Letters at USQ
FROM paint strokes to letters, international artist David Hinchliffe has received the University of Southern Queensland’s most prestigious recognition during recent graduations.
The renowned painter and former student of the university was named a Doctor of Letters and celebrated alongside hundreds of graduates at the USQ Toowoomba campus.
Vice-chancellor professor Geraldine Mackenzie said the honorary award recognised Dr Hinchliffe’s outstanding personal achievements across a wide range of endeavours.
“David Hinchliffe joins an illustrious group of honorary graduates comprising education leaders, theologians, politicians, and artists, from across the nation and abroad,” professor Mackenzie said.
“He has travelled and painted widely in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe and his work is represented extensively in collections both in Australia and overseas.
“David has also been a tutor at the university’s art events for several years and retains strong ties to the Darling Downs region.”
Professor Mackenzie said Dr Hinchliffe was also a passionate advocate of promoting and conserving the works of Australian Indigenous artists, and had one of the largest private collections in the world.
“He has loaned the university 150 paintings from his collection, and these artworks are on display at all the university’s campuses, as well as the Queensland College of Wine Tourism,” she said.
Dr Hinchliffe said it was lovely to once again return home to Toowoomba and the university.
“I never expected to receive this honorary award,” he said.
“It’s a very warming experience and I’m deeply, deeply honoured.”
“The University of Southern Queensland is a very special place for me and for the tens of thousands of people who have walked these corridors before heading out into the world with the knowledge and the learnings that they’ve achieved here.
“The university made me; I am what I am because of it.”