The $1 Million Excursion

It is a known fact that Deague and his family are patrons of Australian artwork. In 2001, Deague and his family backpacked together with 15 renowned Australian artists to the middle of the South Australian dessert. The artists who joined the trip was then tasked to create paintings and artworks of the Australian landscape, the collection was then initially displayed at the Deague’s Toorak mansion.

The main goal of this trip is to regain the public’s interest on Australian landscape painting. The artists would not have to worry about any expenses as the bill on Deague. Each artist then produced 10 paintings. The trip lasted for a week and it cost Deague roughly around $1 million.

Yet, there will always be a skeptic but no matter what the critiques argue it is still one of the most expensive and lavished art venture that was privately funded.

Real Estate and Art

The fiercest and boldest move done by David Deague so far is to invest                a fairly huge sum on a series of hotels. The venture cost the family and the business around $200 million. Each hotel in the series is named after famous Australian painters. The move ensures that the family is still closely-tied to art and its artists.

William Deague, the CEO of Asian Pacific Group (APG) stressed the fact that they could have given their hotels fluffy common names but due to their family connection in art they decided to name them in honor of the artist.

Some of the paintings made by the artists who joined the excursion were displayed on the first hotel that opened, The Cullen, named after the late Adam Cullen. The original pieces are found in the foyer while those pieces in each room are digital reproduction. For more details, go here http://www.daviddeaguewilliamcreek.com.au/