Things are heating up in the
conflict-of-interest saga involving National Gallery of Victoria curator
Geoffrey Smith.

The NGV issued a statement late yesterday announcing a formal investigation
into Smith’s admission in court documents that he was closely involved in the
commercial gallery business of his ex-partner Robert Gould (bowing to the
criticism of one outraged Crikey reader, I will no longer refer to Gould and
Smith as ex-boyfriends).

The Herald-Sun, oddly the only Melbourne media outlet interested in this
yarn, has all the latest detail today.

In its latest statement the NGV said it was launching the investigation
after viewing affidavits filed in the Supreme Court where Smith and Gould are
fighting over the control of a $7 million art collecting acquired during their
14-year relationship.

“In light of material contained in these documents, the NGV has now
commenced an internal investigation,” the statement said.

“The investigation will be in accordance with the NGV’s internal policies
and procedures. In line with the requirements of NGV’s formal procedures, and to
ensure procedural fairness, the investigation and any subsequent enquiry will be
a confidential process.”

It would have to said that the beleaguered Mr Smith has kicked something of
an own goal. He is now the subject of an investigation solely because of
statements he volunteered in an effort to win a property dispute.

Meanwhile, Melbourne City Council insists there is no conflict of interest
in Smith’s membership of a panel advising the council on the purchase of
contemporary art. Smith’s current partner (or whatever you want to call it) is
Melbourne’s Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer. Chairman of the council’s community
services committee Councillor David Wilson told Crikey that Smith receives no
payment for his advice and was appointed because of his expertise.

“His relationship with Gary had nothing to do with it,” Wilson said.

In the two years Smith has been on the committee it has advised on the
purchase of four artworks with a total value of $63,000 including GST.

One of those works was a picture by Andrew Brown, purchased from Tolarno
Galleries for $26,000.

Smith and Brown go back many years. Brown used to show with Gould Galleries
before moving to Tolarno.

Smith went on pre-approved leave this week. The NGV declined to comment
when I asked them whether he would return to duties before the investigation is
complete.