Mr Ian Hicks, Chairman of the Board of Australia’s new fine art auction house deutscher and hackett, today announced the appointment to the Board of Mr Doug Hall AM, the retiring Director of Queensland Art Gallery (QAG).

Mr Hall, who has presided over the development of the Queensland Art Gallery over the past 20 years, will join deutscher and hackett as a Non Executive Director in April on the completion of his term at QAG.

deutscher and hackett Director, Mr Chris Deutscher, welcomed Mr Hall’s appointment as a significant step in the development of the new business.

“Doug’s extensive knowledge and experience in both the Australian and International art worlds will be of immense benefit to the direction and operation of deutscher and hackett, both as a fine art auction house and exhibition gallery,” Mr Deutscher said.

Under Mr Hall’s directorship the Queensland Art Gallery expanded its international focus and developed a strong engagement with Asia, especially through his initiative, the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.

He conceived the idea for the Gallery of Modern Art and oversaw its development, more than doubling the size of the existing gallery in December 2006.

Mr Hall has served on a range of State and Federal cultural organizations including Chairman of the Visual Arts/Crafts Board of the Australia Council and a member of the Australia Council. Until recently he was a member of the Australia International Cultural Council; a member of the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors – and former chairman; and a council member of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation.

In 1999 he was awarded the University of Queensland’s degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa for his contribution to the visual arts in Queensland. In June 2001 he was awarded a member of the Order of Australia, and in 2006 was made a Chevalier dans l‘Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the Republic of France.

deutscher and hackett’s Melbourne and Sydney premises will be opened in March 2007.