In 2008, Ross established Searle Fine Art specialising in sourcing

works of art for both private and public clients.  He also acts as a

museum consultant and specialises in the small to medium-sized

gallery sector in the following areas;

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Policy development,

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Business planning,

•

Infrastructure and capital development planning,

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Collection development, and

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Collection management.

Ross Searle has worked in Australian art museums since 1982.

He was the Curator of the Shepparton Art Gallery (1982-1986)

where he developed an expert knowledge of Australian ceramics.

In 1986 he was appointed Director of the Perc Tucker Gallery,

Townsville, a position he held for 10 years and which saw that

gallery rise to national significance due to its fine exhibition

program and the consolidation of its collection, with many

important new acquisitions. In 1996 he was appointed the first full-

time Director of the University of Queensland Art Museum.  In his

eleven years in this position, the collection doubled in size with

works by Australian and international artists. The University Art

Collection is Queensland's second largest public art collection. He

also had a lead role in the $8 million transformation of the former

Mayne Hall into a new home for the University Art Museum. The

triple award-winning design is effectively Queensland's public

building for 2006.

Exhibitions

Ross Searle has an extensive history as an exhibition curator,

curatorial advisor and exhibition manager and has collaborated

with the Brisbane City Gallery, Cairns Regional Gallery, National

Portrait Gallery, Perc Tucker Gallery, Queensland Art Gallery,

Shepparton Art Gallery.

His exhibition credits in Australia include;

Artist in the Tropics, 1991, a major exhibition of the art traditions

of tropical Queensland from nineteenth century to present

Selector for the Asia-Pacific Triennial, 1993, Queensland Art

Gallery

Lawrence Daws: Asylum in Eden, 2000

To look within: Self portraits in Australia, 2004

Since 1990 he has developed partnerships with museums and

galleries in Japan, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and

Papua New Guinea and Singapore.

Luk Luk Gen! Contemporary Art from Papua New Guinea,

1989-92, tour of Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and PNG

Howard Arkley: The home show for the 48th Venice Biennale of

Art, 1999, part of Australia Council project team. The UAM was

the commissioning Australian gallery

Emmanuel Watt: When I carve, 2004-2005, developed for the

Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Noumea

Towards Beauty’s End -2005-2006, tour of Australia and

Singapore

Publications

He is a contributor to The dictionary of Australian artists: painters,

sketchers, photographers and engravers to 1870. Edited by Joan

Kerr. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1992 and Heritage: the

national women's art book. Edited by Joan Kerr. Roseville East,

NSW: G & B Arts International, an Art and Australia Book, 1995.

His major publication Artist in the Tropics: 200 Years in North

Queensland, published by Perc Tucker Gallery, 1991, remains the

only art historical text on an Australian region.