John Coburn Kuranda
Part 2 of this Important Exhibition – Spirit of Australian Modernism – has come to Gallery 34…….stunning works. April 3 to April 29.
White Cat's GardenTim Storrier Points to Slash with Umbrian RagPrivate Club Jason MoadJohn Olsen CamelJohn Coburn KurandaIkebanaCharles Blackman Model AirplaneSidney Nolan Paradise Garden [Green]John Olsen Earth HoldJohn Coburn Sacred SiteDavid Boyd DuetCharles Blackman There WasCharles Blackman Butterflies PathArthur Boyd Lovers and MoonDavid Larwill - Tanya Goes to Melbourne

The Spirit of Australian Modernism - Great Australian Artists of Our Time

George Baldessin
Charles Blackman
Arthur Boyd
David Boyd
John Coburn
Laurence Hope
David Larwill
Sidney Nolan
John Olsen
Tim Storrier

 This group of highly inventive Australian modernist painters, sculptors, potters and print makers represent a collective of unique individuals whose artistic language has evolved from times of upheaval, conquest and exploration.

Each artist, either through abstraction or figuration, developed a highly refined symbolic language through experimentation of materials, subject matter, form, style and psychological emphasis. It is through a reinterpretation of the  natural order of the world around; expressed through unique visions and symbolism that new associations and understanding can be achieved.   Images capturing the spiritual and universal dimension of landscape and the human psyche are at the heart of these great Australian artists. Expressionism, romanticism, mysticism, innocence and evil, destruction and creation are key elements which convey universal themes.

George Baldessin’s sensual narrative of the figurative; Charles  Blackman’s intuitive evocations of vulnerability, menace and solitude; Arthur Boyd’s rich, painterly excursions into  mythical landscapes ; David Boyd’s inventions of innocence, fantasy, creation and destruction; John Coburn’s eloquent refinement of beauty, nature and spirituality through abstraction; Laurence Hope’s nuances of tragedy and isolation evoked through feelings of introspection and passion; David Larwill’s raw, primal, high- keyed delineations of encrusted figuration; Sidney Nolan’s spontaneous, experimental and sophisticated images inextricably bound to iconic motifs in legend and folklore; John Olsen’s journey through the spirituality and universality of Australian landscape and Tim Storrier’s explosions of colour, texture and atmosphere exploring the duality of decay and renewal are integral to the spirit of Australian Modernism.

Through their masterly illuminations, the legacy of each, individual artist has enhanced and enriched Australian Art.