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Harvey Galleries cordially invite you and your guest to join us in unveiling a new group exhibition exploring the uniqueness of landscape.
Since his first solo exhibition in 1980, Ken Done has become one of Australia’s most famous artists. His work has been described as the most original style to come out of Australia, and his paintings are in collections throughout the world.
Born 29 June, 1940, in Sydney, Ken left school at 14 to enter the National Art School in East Sydney. After 5 years study, he commenced a highly successful career as an art director and designer in New York, London and Sydney.
At the age of 40, after painting for many years, he gave up his advertising career to become a painter full-time. Since then, he has held over 50 one-man shows, including major exhibitions in Australia, Europe, Japan and the USA. His works have been shown in the Archibald, Sulman, Wynne, Blake, and Dobell Prizes.
In 1991, a major touring exhibition in Japan attracted over 200,000 visitors. The artist’s first European exhibition was held in Paris in 1996, to great acclaim, and in 2000 the art of Ken Done was successfully premiered in both Los Angeles and London.
Major projects in a very diverse career include the painting of a BMW Artcar, and the total decorative scheme for the Garden Restaurant at the Powerhouse Museum, in Sydney. In 1994, a major retrospective of Ken Done’s work “Ken Done: the art of design” was mounted by the Powerhouse Museum. In 2002 the Museum acquired his commercial art and design archive of more than 300 items.
In 1988, Hanako, a Tokyo fashion and lifestyle magazine, was launched, and featured a Ken Done painting on the cover every week for over 15 years. In 1999, Done was asked to create a series of works for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies programs of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Ken’s paintings became the creative source of a unique, and highly successful Australian business which continues to promote Australian art and design to a world-wide audience. In 1993, Ken, together with his wife Judy, won the Fashion Industries of Australia’s Grand Award for Fashion.
Although he has worked extensively for many charitable organisations, the welfare of underprivileged children has always been a special concern of Ken’s. Father of the Year in 1989, Ken Done has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 1988.
Ken received the Order of Australia (A.M.), for services to Art, Design and Tourism in 1992. In many parts of the world, Ken Done has come to symbolise Australia and Australians: creative, optimistic and bold.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1980 Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney Australia
1981 Art Directors Gallery, Sydney Australia
1982 Art Directors Gallery, Sydney Australia
1983 Art Directors Gallery, Sydney Australia
Queensland College of Art Gallery, Brisbane Australia
1984 Art Directors Gallery, Sydney Australia
1985 Art Directors Gallery, Sydney Australia
Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Adelaide Australia
Chapman Gallery, Canberra Australia
1986 Gallery Tamon, Tokyo Japan
1987 Black Swan Gallery, Fremantle Australia
Bonython-Meadmore Gallery, Adelaide Australia
Chapman Gallery, Canberra Australia
Mt Gambier Gallery,
Mt Gambier Australia Orange City Centre, Orange Australia
1988 Bridgewater Mill, Adelaide Australia Hilton, Cairns Australia
Seibu Ikebukuro Art Gallery, Tokyo Japan
1989 Chapman Gallery, Canberra Australia
Moore Park Gallery, Sydney Australia
Yomiyuri Shimbun/Seiko Instruments Exhibition, Laforet Museum, Tokyo Japan
1990 Aces Gallery, Tokyo Japan
Amics Gallery, Tokyo Japan
Art Gallery of Yokohama Takashimaya, Yokohama Japan
Ciel Gallery, Tochigi Japan
Gallery Tamon, Tokyo Japan
Caulfield Arts Complex, Melbourne Australia
Geelong Art Gallery, Geelong Australia
Mildura Art Gallery, Mildura Australia
1990-91 Campbelltown City Bicentennial Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
1991 Shinsegae Gallery, Seoul Korea
Daimaru Museum, Tokyo Japan
Daimaru Museum Umeda, Tokyo Japan
Shimonoseki Daimaru, Shimonoseki Japan
Hakata Daimaru, Fukuoka Japan
Nagasaki Daimaru, Nagasaki Japan
Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Manly Australia
1992 Lewers Bequest and Penrith Regional Art Gallery, Emu Plains Australia
Tamworth City Art Gallery, Tamworth Australia
Moree Plains Gallery, Moree Australia
Orange Regional Gallery, Orange Australia
Keihan Gallery of Arts and Science, Moriuchi City Japan
Lake Macquarie Regional Gallery, Lake Macquarie Australia
Grafton Art Gallery, Grafton Australia
Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Griffith Australia
Adelaide Loft Concept Space, Adelaide Australia
1993 Broken Hill City Art Gallery, Broken Hill Australia
Moore Park Gallery, Sydney Australia
Chapman Gallery, Canberra Australia
Horsham Art Gallery, Horsham Australia
Izumizaki Museum and Art Gallery, Izumizaki Japan
Sogetsu Plaza, Sogetsu Keihan, Tokyo Japan
1994 Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Manly Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
1994-95 The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Australia
1995 Westpac Gallery, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne Australia
1996 Galerie Scot, Paris France
Cairns Regional Art Gallery, Cairns Australia
Wangaratta Exhibitions Gallery, Wangaratta Australia
Latrobe Regional Art Gallery, Morwell Australia
1997 Australia Centre, Manila Philippines
Millicent Gallery, Millicent Australia
Riddoch Art Gallery, Mount Gambier Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Surfers Paradise Australia
Warrnambool Art Gallery, Warrnambool Australia
Latrobe University Museum, Bundoora Australia
Solander Gallery, Yarralumla Australia
1998 Horsham Art Gallery, Horsham Australia
Orange Regional Gallery, Orange Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
1999 Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton Australia
Gallery on Seven, David Jones Elizabeth Street, Sydney Australia
2000 Ellen Kim Murphy Gallery, Los Angeles USA
Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London UK
Sogetsu Plaza, Sogetsu Keihan, Tokyo Japan
Nahan Plaza, Hanamaki City Japan
Mosman Art Gallery and Cultural Centre, Mosman Australia
Stafford Studios of Fine Art, Cottesloe Australia
2001 One Bush Street, San Francisco USA
Pilbara Fine Art Gallery, Karratha Australia Volvo Showroom,
Stockholm Sweden Johyun Gallery, Pusan Korea
2002 Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London UK
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
2003 44 Gurner Street, Sydney Australia
The Blue Dot Gallery, Toronto Canada
Xanadu Fine Art Gallery, Margaret River, Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
2004 The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London UK
2005 Stafford Studios of Fine Art, Cottesloe Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane Australia
2006 The Cooper Gallery, Noosa Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
2006-07 IXL Masterpiece Fine Art Gallery, Hobart Australia
2007 Stafford Studios of Fine Art, Cottesloe Australia
Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London UK
2008 Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton Australia
2009 The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
2010 The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
The Dragon, Hangzhou China
2011 The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney Australia
The Balman Gallery, Corbridge UK
Cyclone Gallery, Melbourne Australia
Solander Gallery, Yarralumla Australia
2012 Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2013 Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah Australia
Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth Australia
2014 Johyun Gallery, Busan Korea
Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney Australia
Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth Australia
2015 The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2016 The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Rockhampton Art Gallery, Rockhampton, Australia
2017 Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth, Australia
The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney ,Australia
Gallery One, Gold Coast, Australia
2018 Harvey Galleries Mosman, Australia
2019 Harvey Galleries Mosman, Australia
2020 Harvey Galleries Mosman, Australia
2022 Harvey Galleries, Australia
2023 Linton and Kay Galleries, Perth Australia
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1978 The Blake Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1979 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1982 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1984 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
The Archibald Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1985 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1986 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1987 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1989 Art Cars, The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Australia
1990 Alice 125, Melbourne Australia
1992 Artseen, The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington New Zealand
The Archibald Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
Artists in Aid of Animals, Australian Democrats
1992 Endangered Species
Campaign, Perth, Sydney, Canberra, Australia
1993 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
The Archibald Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
The Wynne Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
The Dobell Prize for Drawing, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1994 The Wynne Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1995 The Wynne Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
The Dobell Prize for Drawing, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
1999 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Clean Up Australia, The Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2000 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2001 The Sulman Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney Australia
The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists Supporting Animal Preservation, Taronga Zoo Foundation, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2002 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2003 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2004 Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney Australia
The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Australian Visions: Art from Down Under, Mudanjiang Art Museum, Mudanjiang China
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2005 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2006 Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney Australia
The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2007 Gana Art Gallery, Seoul Korea
The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2008 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2009 Reflections of Australia, Hongrun Huaxia Hotel, Zhengzhou China
The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Taronga Artists Camp: Artists in Residence, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2009-10 Idle Hours, The National Portrait Gallery, Canberra Australia
2010 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2011 The Archibald Prize, AGNSW, Sydney Australia
2011-12 Archibald Prize Regional Tour: Tarra Warra Museum of Art, Healsville Australia
Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah Australia
Moree PLains Gallery, Moree Australia
Lake Macquarie City Gallery, Lake Macquarie Australia
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula Australia
Orange Regional Gallery, Orange Australia
Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree
2011 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
2012 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Australian Artists and the Sydney Opera House, Utzon Centre, Aalborg Denmark
2013 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Utzon’s Opera House, SH Ervin Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Holiday and memory-20th Century Australia at play, Penrith Regional Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Artists of Mosman, 2088 Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Naked and Nude, Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree, Australia
2014 The Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney Australia
Patternation, Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne, Australia
Art = My Automolove, Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, Caboolture, Australia
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Face 2 Face, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2016 GQ Iconic Artist
2019 Finalist of the Wynne Prize
2022 Harvey Galleries, Australia
Australiana: Designing a Nation, Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo Australia
Bank of America 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition with 3.33 Art Projects, Sydney Australia
A Line A Web A World, Powerhouse Ultimo, Sydney Australia
AWARDS
1967 Cannes Gold Lion Award
1973 Gold and Silver A.W.A.R.D.S.
1974 D. & A.D. Awards
O.A.A.A. Award
1975 Melbourne A.D.C. Awards
1976 Caxton Award
1977 F.A.C.T.S. Award
1986 New South Wales Tourism Award
1987 Finalist, BHP Awards for the Pursuit of Excellence
1989 Father of the Year
1992 Order of Australia (A.M.) for services to Art, Design and Tourism
1993 Fashion Industries of Australia Grand Award
Mosman Citizen of the Year
Rotary International Award for Excellence
Spirit of Australia Award for excellence in the Australian Arts
1994 Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
1999 Westpac Export Heroes Award, Australian Institute of Export
Finalist, Business Asia Awards
Fellow of Design Institute of Australia (Hon)
2001 Finalist, Business Star Awards
2002 Powerhouse Museum Life Fellow
Bachelor of Design (Hon), Sydney Graphics College
2007 The Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award 2013 Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame
REPRESENTED
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Bega, Australia
Benalla Art Gallery, Benalla, Australia
Broken Hill City Art Gallery, Broken Hill, Australia
Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns, Australia
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula, Australia
Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Gold Coast, Australia
Grafton Art Gallery, Grafton, Australia
Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Griffith, Australia
Harvey Galleries, Seaforth, Australia
Horsham Art Gallery, Horsham, Australia
Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich, Australia
Lake Macquarie Regional Gallery, Lake Macquarie, Australia
Maitland Art Gallery, Maitland, Australia
Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Manly, Australia
Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree, Australia
Moree Plains Regional Gallery, Moree, Australia
Mosman Art Gallery, Mosman, Australia
Murray Art Museum, Albury, Australia
National Maritime Museum, Sydney, Australia
National Museum of Australia, Canberra, Australia
New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale, Australia
Nolan Gallery, Lanyon, Canberra, Australia
Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, Australia
Outback Regional Gallery, Winton, Australia
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, Australia
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville, Australia
Redcliffe City Art Gallery, Moreton Bay, Australia
Riddoch Art Gallery, Mount Gambier, Australia
Rockhampton Art Gallery, Rockhampton, Australia
Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, Stanthorpe, Australia
Suntory Collection, Tokyo, Japan
Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, Sydney, Australia
Tamworth City Gallery, Tamworth, Australia
The National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia
Toowoomba Regional Gallery, Toowoomba, Australia
Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah, Australia
University of Tasmania, Fine Arts Collection, Hobart, Australia
Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, Australia
Photo Credit: James Geer
BORN 1943 Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
Jeff Makin is a full-time artist, art critic and is recognized as one of Australia’s leading landscape painters. Makin is best known for his paintings en plein air of the Australian and European landscape. He has held numerous senior academic appointments while maintaining a flourishing artistic practice.
Jeff Makin’s artwork has long explored the picturesque and the sublime in nature, rooted in a specifically Australian locality. The You Yangs, the Grampians, Mt Buller, Wannon Falls and the Yarra Valley are all locations that Makin has visited intermittently throughout his career, in search of capturing those intangible qualities that form the essence of the land.
Landmarks by their very nature are immediately identifiable, partly through constructed imagery created through mediums such as painting, which become integral to our perception of them.
Jeff Makin is represented in all National, State and most Regional and corporate collections in Australia. In 2007 a boutique hotel in East Melbourne was named in his honour. Jeff Makin has been a finalist in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Tattersalls Art Prize in Brisbane.
EDUCATION
1994-95 M.A. (Research), Deakin University, Geelong
1962-66 Diploma (Painting), National Art School, Sydney
Tertiary Teacher Training, Sydney Teachers College, Sydney
1961 Julian Ashton’s School of Art, Desiderus Orban Studio, Sydney
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
1997-Current Art Critic, Herald Sun, Melbourne
1996-97 Director, National Art School, Sydney
1986-91 Principal Lecturer, Post Graduate Studies, Fine Art, RMIT University, Melbourne
1990 Artist-in-residence, Edinburgh University, Scotland, UK
1983-86 Principal Lecturer, Post Graduate Studies and Deputy Head, Fine Art, RMIT University (Bundoora Campus), Melbourne
1973-82 Senior Lecturer, Painting, School of Art & Design, Prahran College of Advanced Education, Melbourne
1978 Visiting Artist, Gloucestershire, School of Art & Design, UK
1972-82 Art Critic, Herald Sun, Melbourne
1971 Lecturer in Painting, PCAE, Melbourne
1968-70 Lecturer, National Art School, Sydney
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2016 Harvey Galleries, Sydney
2011 Landmarks, Astras Galleries, Marina Mirage, Gold Coast
2010 The Journey, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2008 Landmarks, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
Red Centre, Art Equity, Sydney
2007 A Graphic Survey, Port Jackson Press Print Room, Melbourne
2007 Etchings of Tasmania, Colville Street Art Gallery, Hobart
2006 Terre Australis, Art Equity, Sydney
2006 En Plein Air, Port Jackson Press, Melbourne
2006 Jeffrey Makin: Drawings, Stonnington Stables Museum of Art, Deakin University, Melbourne
2005 The Tasman Series, Art Equity, Sydney
2004 Australia Felix, Suite of ten etchings launched in conjunction with Australian
Conservation Foundation in World Environment Week, Port Jackson Press, Melbourne
2003 Australia Felix, Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
2002 Print Survey, Port Jackson Press, Melbourne
Jeffrey Makin: genii loci, Stonnington Stables Gallery, Deakin University, Melbourne
Jeffrey Makin: Australia Felix, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne
2001 Lauraine Diggins Fine Art, Melbourne
Lister Calder Gallery, Perth
Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
2000 BMG Gallery, Adelaide
1999 Robin Gibson, Sydney
BMG Gallery, Adelaide
Solander Gallery, Canberra
1998 Cook’s Hill Gallery, Newcastle
1997 Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
1995 BMG Gallery, Adelaide
Greythorn Gallery, Melbourne
1994 Phillip Bacon, Brisbane
Greythorn Gallery, Melbourne
1993 Greenhill Galleries, Perth
John Paul College, Brisbane
1992 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney Chapman Gallery, Canberra, Melbourne Art Fair, Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne, Schubert Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland
1991 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney, Realities Gallery, Melbourne, Adrian Slinger Gallery, Brisbane
1990 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1989 Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane, Realities Gallery, Melbourne, Greenhill Galleries, Perth
1988 Britain-Australia Bicentenary, Bernard Jacobson Gallery, London
Realities Gallery, Melbourne, Rex Irwin Gallery, Sydney
1986 Perth Festival Exhibition, Quentin Gallery, Perth Rex Irwin Gallery, Sydney, Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1985 Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane
1984 Bernard Jacobson Gallery, London, Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane, Rex Irwin Gallery, Sydney, Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1982 Gallery 52, Perth, Still Life 1978-82, Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane, Rex Irwin Gallery, Sydney, Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne
1981 Rex Irwin Gallery, Sydney
1980 Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne
1979 Objects 1978-79, Prahran College Gallery, Melbourne, Places 1978-79, Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane
1977 Profile 5, University of Melbourne Art Gallery, Melbourne, Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1976 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney, Solander Galleries, Canberra, Australian Galleries, Melbourne
1974 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1973 Sweeney Reed Gallery, Melbourne
1972 Llewellyn Galleries, Adelaide
Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1971 Osborne and Polak Gallery, Melbourne
Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1970 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
Strines Gallery, Melbourne
1969 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1968 Watters Gallery, Sydney
1967 Watters Gallery, Sydney
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010 Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne
2010 Autumn Collection, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2009 Winter Collection, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2009 Autumn Collection, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2009 New Figuration, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2008 Winter Collection, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2007 International and Australian Works on Paper, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2006 Winter Collection, James Makin Gallery, Melbourne
2005 Thirty, celebrating thirty years of limited edition fine art publishing, Port Jackson Press, Melbourne
2002 First Birthday Group Show, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne
2001 Earth, Fire, Water, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne
1992 Australian Modernism: The Complexity and the Diversity, Lauraine Diggins Fine Art, Melbourne
1991 Group Exhibition, Macquarie Galleries, Sydney, Green Arts, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
1989 Chicago International Art Exposition, Navy Pier, Chicago, USA
Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
The Kingfisher Prize Exhibition, Gallery 460, Gosford, NSW
1988 Los Angeles Art Fair (Realities Gallery), L.A., USA Painter’s Vision, Macquarie Galleries, Sydney Aspects of Art, Israel/Australia
1984 The Australians (curated by Memory Holloway), C.D.S. Gallery, New York
1983 McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Bernard Jacobson Gallery, London
1982 Aspects of the Landscape, Powell Street Gallery, Melbourne; Shepparton Arts Centre, Victoria; Benalla, Art Gallery, Victoria
1981 Joseph Brown Spring Exhibition, Melbourne
1979 McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
1975 Artist’s Artists, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, McCaughey Memorial Art Prize, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
1974 Darnell De Gruchy Invitation Prize, Brisbane, Fifty Years of the National Art School, Bonython Galleries, Sydney, Joseph Brown Spring and Autumn Exhibitions, Melbourne
1972,74,78 Georges Invitation Art Prize, Melbourne
SELECTED AWARDS & COMMISSIONS
2010 Tattersall’s Club Landscape Art Prize 2010, Finalist
Calleen Art Award, Finalist
2009 Tattersall’s Club Landscape Art Prize 2009 Finalist
2008 Tattersall’s Club Landscape Art Prize 2008, Finalist, Glover Prize 2008 – Finalist
2003 Lake Eyre and Beyond, Deague Family Art Foundation commissioned 10 artists to travel, produce work and participate in a documentary regarding this trip to Lake Eyre
1995-98 Australian Government Post-Graduate Research Scholarship, Deakin University, Melbourne
1993 Commonwealth Savings Bank: Triptych – A Romantic Trilogy, three 2.5m x 3m canvases, World Trade Centre, Sydney
1992 Federal Airports Corporation: Two large scale paintings in VIP Lounge, International Airport, Sydney
1991-92 Hilton International, Brisbane: Mural – Waterfall, 11m x 4m
1990 Tattersall’s Club Art Prize, Brisbane
1987 Victorian Ministries for Transport and the Arts – public art project ‘Transporting Art’: Desert Tram
1985 Gold Coast Purchase Prize, Queensland
1980 School of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne: Portrait of Professor James Steel
1979 National Bank of Australasia: Tapestry woven by the Victorian Tapestry
Workshop
1976 Townsville Pacific Festival Purchase Award, Queensland, Rockhampton Art Prize, Queensland
1971 Gold Coast Purchase Prize, Queensland
1968 Southern Cross Art Prize, Sydney
1966 Drummoyne Graphic Prize, Sydney
1965 Mirror-Warratah Art Prize, Sydney
1964 Art Progression Scholarship, National Art School, Sydney
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
Fields, Caroline – Forward, Makin, Jeffrey – notes on drawing, Jeffrey Makin: Drawings published for the exhibition at Stonnington Stables Museum of Art, 2006
Bonython, Kym, Australian Painting 1970-75, Rigby, Adelaide, 1976
Bonython, Kym, Australian Painting 1970-80, Rigby, Adelaide, 1980
Carmichael, R., Makin, J. and Wolseley, J., Orienteering: Painting in the Landscape, Deakin University Press, Geelong, 1982
Chanin, Eileen, Contemporary Australian Painting, Craftsman House, Roseville, NSW, 1990
Crawford, Ashley and McGregor, Ken, William Creek and Beyond, Craftsman House, Sydney, 2002
Drury, Neville, Images in Contemporary Australian Painting, Craftsman House, Roseville, NSW, 1990
Germaine, Max, Artists and Galleries of Australia and New Zealand, Lansdowne Editions, Sydney, 1979
McCulloch, Alan, The Encyclopaedia of Australian Art, Hutchinson, Melbourne, 1967
McCulloch, Susan, The Encyclopaedia of Australian Art, Allan and Unwin, Sydney 1994
McGrath, Sandra, Brett Whitely, Bay Books, Sydney, 1979
McGregor, Ken, William Creek and Beyond, Craftsman House, Sydney, 2002
McGregor, Ken and Makin, Jeff, Teeming With Life: The Graphics of John Olsen, McMillan, Melbourne, 2005.
McKenzie, Jane, Drawing in Australia, MacMillan, Sydney, 1986
Nicholls, Lara, The CBUS Collection of Australian Art: advisor Dr Joseph Brown AO 2004
Olsen, John, Drawn from Life, Duffy & Snellgrove, Melbourne, 1997
Sturgeon, Graham, Australia, the Painter’s Vision, Bay Books, Sydney, 1987
Thomas, David, Jeffrey Makin – Genii Loci, Stonnington Stables Museum of Art, Deakin University, Melbourne, 2002
Who’s Who in Australia, Information Australia, Melbourne, 1998
Zimmer, Jenny, Australia Felix: Landscapes by Jeffrey Makin, Macmillan, Melbourne, 2002
JOURNALS & MAGAZINES
Allen, Traudi, Studio International, vol 199, No. 1015, 1986/87, p. 36
Astbury, Leigh, ‘Marketing the Last Frontier’, Studio International, vol. 199, No. 1015, 1986/87
Beaumont, Mary Rose, Art Review, 29 Jan 1988
Bromfield, Dr. David, ‘Aspects of Landscape’, Gallery 52, Art Network, Spring 1983
Brown, Phil, ‘A Waterfall Affair’, State of the Art, Issue 2, 1992, pp. 46-47
Collier, Caroline, ‘Paintings from Australia’, Studio International, March 1984
Dodd, Terri, ‘Scaling the Heights of Art’, Australian Artist, No. 103, Jan 1993, cover & pp. 42-48
Griffiths, Anna, ‘Transport of Delight’, Design World, No. 13, 1987, pp. 30-33
Griffiths, Anna, ‘Splash’, Design Ink, No. 11, Dec 1992, pp.48-53
Hill, Peter, ‘The Flinders Ranges’, Alba, No. 8, 1998 pp. 34-36
Lane, Jessica, ‘Jeff Makin: a Heidelberg Spirit’, Antiques and Art, May/June, 1968
Lynn, Elwyn, ‘Profile 5 Exhibition’, catalogue essay, University of Melbourne Gallery, May 1977
Lynn, Elwyn, ‘Australian Letter’, Art International, March/April, 1982
Lynn, Elwyn, ‘Jeffrey Makin’, Watters Gallery Bulletin, 1968
Milington, John, ‘Jeffrey Makin, in the Top End!’, Antiques and Art, July-Nov 1991, p. 43
Siebert, David, ‘Jeffrey Makin, An Artist of International Significance’, Art National, Sep 1984
Siebert, David, ‘Waterfalls’, Oz Art Report, Issue 2, 1992, pp. 42-45
von Joel, Mike, Artine, Vol. 3, No. 10, 1988, pp. 20-21
NEWSPAPER REVIEWS
Bell, Pam, ‘A Fresh New Look’, Australian, 13 June 1977
Brown, Phil, Brisbane Courier Mail, 6 Sep 1991
Brown, Phil, ‘Masterpeice Commissioned’, City News, 19 Dec 1991
Brown, Phil, ‘Hilton Waterfall Unvelied’, City News, 16 Jan 1992
Carmichael, Rod, Sun News Pictorial, Melbourne, 4 March 1997
Crawford, Ashley, ‘Escape from the Traditional View of the Landscape’, Age, 15 August 2002
Dutkiewicz, Adam, ‘Makin Shows his True Colours with Landscape’, Advertiser, Adelaide, 17 May 1995
Follent, Sarah, ‘In Pursuit of an Individual Line’, Australian, 14 June 1984
Galbally, Ann, Age, 6 Oct 1971
Gill, Harb, ‘Into Thin Eyre’, Herald Sun, Weekend Magazine, 13 July 2002
Gleeson, James, Sydney Morning Herald, 17 Nov 1971
Lancashire, Rebecca, ‘Heidelberg Still Casts its Spell’, Age, 28 Oct 1991
Langer Gertrude, ‘Landscape Keeping Pace’, Brisbane Courier Mail, 6 June 1977
Langer, Gertrude, Brisbane Courier Mail, 23 Oct 1979
Lazar, Amanda, ‘Painting Needs More than a Gut Reaction’, Age, 4 December 1976
Lynn, Elwyn, ‘Soul Brothers Surge Ahead’, Australian, 11 Aug 1984
Lynn, Elwyn, ‘Conjuring with Four Masters in Full Flight’, Australian Magazine, No. 14, 14-15 May 1988
Lynn, Elwyn, ‘Champs Canvass Art with Punch’, Weekend Australian, 23-24 March 1991
Lynn, Elwyn, Australian Weekend Review, 4-5 April 1992
McCaughey, Patrick, Age, 10 Oct 1973
Millar, Ronald, Sun News Pictorial, 10 October 1973
Olsen, John, Sun News Pictorial, 1 Dec 1976
Rooney, Robert, ‘The Landscape Confrontation’, Age, 23 Melbourne 1980
Smith, Sue, ‘Landscape painter joins the masters’, Courier Mail, 26 Nov 1992
Snell, Ted, ‘Glowing Landscapes a Joy to View’, Western Mail, 10 July 1982
Stowell, Jill, ‘Icons Fall into Place’, Newcastle Herald, 22 Sep 2001
Warren, Alan, Sun News Pictorial, 6 Oct 1971
Wallace-Crabbe, Robin, Canberra Times, 28 Oct 1968
COLLECTIONS
Artbank
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Art Gallery of WA, Perth
Australian National Gallery, Canberra
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
Banker’s Trust, Sydney
Benalla Art Gallery, Victoria
Bendigo Art Gallery, Victoria
BHP Collection, Melbourne
Brisbane City Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Brisbane
Castlemaine Regional Art Gallery, Victoria
CBUS Collection of Australian Art, Melbourne
Chelsea Art Club, London
Coles Myer Collection, Melbourne
Dalby Collection, Queensland
Deakin University Art Collection, Victoria
Edinburgh University Collection, Scotland
Flinders University, Adelaide
Geelong Art Gallery, Victoria
Gold Coast City Collection, Queensland
ICI Collection, Melbourne
La Trobe University Collection, Melbourne
Macquarie Group Collection
McClelland Gallery, Victoria
Medibank Collection, Melbourne
Monash Medical Centre Foundation – Fine Art Collection, Melbourne
Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
National Bank of Australasia Collection of Modern Art, Melbourne
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Parliament House Collection, Canberra
Pegasus Gold Corporation, Washington DC, USA
Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
R & I Bank, Perth
Rockhampton Art Gallery, Queensland
Rothschild Bank Collection, London
Sale Regional Art Centre, Victoria
Savage Club Art Collection, Melbourne
Stuart College of Advanced Education, Adelaide
Swan Hill Regional Gallery, Victoria
Tattersall’s Club, Brisbane
Townsville Art Gallery, Queensland
Victorian Premier’s Department Collection, Melbourne
University of Melbourne, Melbourne
Exhibiting internationally since the late 1980s, Irene Hanenbergh has amassed a large body of work which the artist describes as ‘liminal portals’ into other worlds, and ‘windows of longing’, suggesting psychological and physical spaces that lie just beyond our grasp. Her evocative oil paintings are personal and contemporary renderings of the sublime in which scenes of primordial forests, lakes, mountains and oceans morph in and out of formation, infused with influences of the baroque, romanticism, and marginal fantasy genres. Exploring the slippage between contemporary and historic landscape painting, key styles and traditions including folk art, mystic and visionary practices, (faux) political histories and cults have been erased, repainted and spiritually charged, creating fantastical and otherworldly shifts as brushstrokes collide with impossible foliage, dark shadows and the spectre of history. Her works do not rely on narrative structures for the formation of content; rather they seduce or just invite the viewer to become immersed in another world, another time, another sensation.
Irene Hanenbergh‘s practice deals with concerns of disciplined immaterial sensibilities within (marginalized) Romantic, Visionary and Fantastic art genres. She uses various media including drawing, painting, sculpture and print media. Hanenbergh completed a Master of Fine Arts by Research at the Victorian College of the Arts (The University of Melbourne) in 2010. She holds as well a BFA (Hons) in Painting and Sculpture from The Academy of Fine Arts Minerva (1988, The Netherlands), a BFA (Hons) in Printmaking, from The Athens School of Fine Arts (1995, Greece) followed by 2 year Postgraduate Research at the same academy. Additionally she completed a Post Graduate Program at The Royal College of Art (1992, London). Intermittently over the last 25 years, she has spent considerable time on artist residencies & for the purpose of exhibitions, in various locations across Europe, Asia (Japan and Thailand) and the USA (NYC). Hanenbergh teaches Master of Contemporary Art at the VCA, University of Melbourne.
She has held solo exhibitions in Australia and internationally; amongst other ‘Mild Fantasy’ at Neon Parc, ‘Libertine, Celestine’, at Neon Parc, ‘House of Dandelion & Lohr (outperformance)’ at Hugo Michel Gallery, Adelaide; ‘Feldspar’ (with Storm Gold) at BUS Melbourne, ‘Argyle Dreaming (1863)’, a Black art project in Sydney; ‘Dada-Roman (4711)’, at Caves in Melbourne and collaborative exhibitions as Zilverster with Sharon Goodwin, at Sarah Scout Presents in Melbourne and in ‘Lurid Beauty’ at the National Gallery of Victoria. Zilverster is currently showing in ‘All the better to see you with (Fairy Tales transformed’ at the Potter Museum of Art in Melbourne, 2017.
DOB: 1988
BORN: Adelaide, SA
LANGUAGE GROUP: Gurindji
COMMUNITY: Katherine, NT
Sarrita King is the most collected artist at Kate Owen Gallery and for good reason. Her paintings are highly sophisticated works of beauty. She is always pushing her boundaries and extending her repertoire, creating an artistic oeuvre that is quite remarkable for an artist of her age. Sarrita’s aesthetic has a universal appeal, made clear by the phenomenal interest in her work by international collectors.
Sarrita grew up in a family that encouraged creativity and nurtured family connections. Her father was esteemed artist William King Jungala (1966 – 2007), and to this day Sarrita and her equally talented sister, Tarisse King, draw on his knowledge, traditions and philosophies in their art. Her father was also a proud Gurindji man, and Sarrita and her sister also have a strong sense of self and pride in their heritage.
Sarrita’s connection to her Aboriginality and subsequently to the land and people, was able to flourish as she grew up in Darwin. Her ancestral Gurindji land was close by and from a young age she was exposed to the imperious weather and extreme landscapes that shaped her forefather’s lives. In particular, the big storms, rains and lightning in the far horizion fascinated Sarrita, and was the subject of her first paintings.
Her ‘Lightning’ series captured the attention of art dealers and before long she was represented by galleries across Australia. Her Gurindji Country continued to be the theme of her art, and Sarrita’s early works wove her own styles with that of her father. They are a fascinating interplay of colour, design, heritage and spirit.
In the years that have followed, Sarrita’s desire to visually communicate her inspiration and the land has resulted in a suite of painting series that honour her father’s philosophies, while providing a visual articulation of the earth’s language.
Her representations of landscape are fresh in their depiction of the subject. The lack of horizion takes viewers inside the image, where the subtlety of surfaces, and the shapes and iconography awaken the senses.
Multiple layers in each canvas pulsate with the moods of the country, with the sense of time-worn existence and with the strength of human passion within. She creates fantastic energy on the canvas but there is also a strong rhythm in all her work that is determined and controlled
The ‘Ancestors Dry Season’ paintings are intricate layers of rich reds, oranges, yellows and ochres to represent the landscape during the intense dry season. During these periods the land is so dry, old landmarks and features are revealed.
The ‘Ancestors Wet Season’ paintings are painted in cool blues, violets, mauves and white to represent the landscape during the wet season. During these periods the landscape changes drastically with water pooling in parts of the landscape, replenishing the land which is vital to the survival of the Gurindji community.
In a new series titled ‘Earth Elements’, Sarrita represents the elements and their interaction with the landscape. There is a refined ethereal beauty to these paintings. Her new ‘Gurindji Ancestors’ artworks also continue her artistic mission to keep her ancestral narrative alive and provides a new way of looking back while looking forward.
Her ‘Lake Eyre’ series beautifully evokes the seemly endless expanse of the glistening salt pan, which is transformed by desert downpours into a thriving oasis.
As well as her individual artistic achievements, Sarrita continues to collaborate with her sister on large scale paintings and public art projects. Sarrita and Tarisse are always investigating other mediums to utilise in order to express their stories and later in 2021 they will debut their first sculptural works.
Being an artist requires generosity of spirit; a willingness to see, hear, and feel. Sarrita’s artistic practice is an act of generosity and engagement. She has created a space to share the beauty of her culture and landscape that has transcended boundaries. Her unique artistic voice has resonated with collectors around the world.
Sarrita is energetic, effervescent and visually curious. Despite being a mother of two young children, she maintains a high level of creative output and generates new ideas regularly. She currently lives in her hometown of Darwin, which has been a wellspring of inspiration over the course of her life. We have delighted in Sarrita’s artistic evolution and look forward to what the future holds.
Copyright Kate Owen Gallery March 2021
Collections
Awards and Recognition
2019 Sarrita’s and Tarisse’s artwork chosen to decorate the BMW flag ship store in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney. Their artwork design has been wrapped around the building.
2017 Artist Artwork selected to be featured on Samsung’s The Frame
2014 Pommery Champagne Pop Art Series Labels
2017 Artist Artwork selected to be featured on Samsung’s The Frame
History
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021 Land + Sky | Impressions of Country, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2016 Artist in Residence, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2014 Artist in Residence, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2014 Sarrita King: Pop Art, Ngarru Gallery, Port Douglas
2013 Artist in residence, Ngarru Gallery, Port Douglas
2011 Connections: First Solo Exhibtion, Gallery 577, Melbourne
Selected Group Exhibitions
2021 Top Ten Artists 2020, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2020 Sounds of Summer, Japingka Gallery, Perth
2020 60 by 60 – Small Paintings, Japingka Gallery, Perth
2020 Director’s Choice 2020, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2020 Top Ten – Our Most Popular Artists 2019, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2019 Tarisse King & Sarrita King, Japingka Gallery, Perth
2019 defining tradition | black + white, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2019 International Women’s Day, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2019 Defining Tradition: the first wave & its disciples, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2018 Sarrita and Tarisse King, East Hotel, Canberra
2018 Artist in Residency, Basil Hall Editions, Canberra
2017 Gems from the Stockroom, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2017 Ancestors, Elements, Heritage, Sarrita King & Tarisse King, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle
2016 Asia Contemporary Art Show, Hong Kong
2015 King Sisters Artist in Residence, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2014 Sarrita & Tarisse King, Japingka Gallery, Freemantle
2014 The King Sisters: Pop Art, Red Desert Dreamings, Melbourne
2013 The King Sisters, Japingka Gallery, Freemantle
2012 Country of Kings, Red Desert Dreamings, Melbourne
2012 Art Expo, Singapore
2012 Collaboration, Gallery 577, Melbourne
2012 Aboriginal Art, Butler Goode Gallery, Sydney
2012 Contemporary Art, Art Curial, Paris
2011 Language of the Earth, Japingka, Fremantle, WA
2011 Big and Bold, Gallery 577, Melbourne
2010 Divas on the Cusp, Art on Hastings, Noosa Heads
2010 Canterbury Art Exhibition, Canterbury
2010 Rising Stars, Tarisse & Sarrita King, Aboriginal Art Galleries, Sydney
2010 The King Sisters, Mason Gallery, Darwin
2010 First Artist in Residence, Newington College, Sydney
2010 In Our Father’s Eyes, Aboriginal Dreamtime Gallery, Los Angeles
2010 Fire & Lightning, Central Art, Alice Springs
2010 The King Sisters, Red Desert Dreaming Gallery, Melbourne
2009 Art Curial Auction and Exhibition, Art Curial, France
2009 William, Tarisse & Sarrita King, Aboriginal Art Galleries, Sydney
2009 Kaminabend mit Tarisse & Sarrita, Brit’s Art, Uebach-Palenberg
2009 The King Sisters, Blue Gum Gallery, Sydney
2009 The 3 Kings, Bennelong Gallery, Sydney
2009 The Three Kings, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2009 Size Matters, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2008 Canterbury Art Exhibition, Canterbury
2008 The EWB exhibition, 14 exhibitions across Australia
2008 The Kings, Firstlook Gallery, Melbourne
2008 The 3 Kings, Ulladulla Aboriginal Gallery, Sydney
2006 Kings Exhibition, La Jolla
2006 Katherine Art Exhibition, Katherine
2006 Jungarra Exhibition, Cairns
2006 City Mob, Adelaide
BORN
11/10/69, Victoria Australia
STUDIES
Self Taught
BACKGROUND
Sign-painter / opal miner turned landscape painter breathes new life into the art market with his arresting landscapes. Christopher Lees reflects an authority in his brushstrokes which is evident in his monumental perspectives of the Australian terrain. In his twenties Lees travelled extensively throughout remote Australia, working as an opal miner and sign-writer. Now based in rural Victoria, his experiences of the outback (and his own bush property and surrounds) unravel on the canvas in panoramic and dioramic form.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Freedom has always been important to me. When I was younger, if I didn’t like what I was doing, I would just walk away. I would get in the car, maybe even travel to another state, and simply trust that I would find other work. I feel privileged to be in this position – painting full-time and still having that freedom to travel for inspiration.”
He says that, as a self-taught artist, painting is more instinctual for him. “I know if a painting is working – practice also helps guide instinct… I would like my work to live on and I am conscious that people are buying works for investment.”
“I want to connect with the viewer by using colour and familiar motifs that are typically associated with the Australian environment. Exaggeration of space and elements create a theatrical representation of the landscape.”
PROCESS
Lees’s process is straightforward. He begins with a sketch which organises the painting, creating a sense of balance and proportion that is transposed onto the canvas, working to achieve a harmonious composition. The resultant landscapes are still, stark, and mysterious. Usually devoid of people and fauna, they echo the experience of the painter in the studio with only his creative muse for company.
“I exaggerate space and the elements of landscape which makes my work theatrical, but colour is the key…I want to ensure that people understand my work is concerned with the Australian landscape – I love those earthy colours.”
EXHIBITIONS
2023 “Nightcap”, Libby Edwards Galleries, South Yarra
2023 “Headspace”, Harvey Galleries, Sydney
2022 “Fragments” Libby Edwards South Yarra
2022 “Habitat” Harvey Galleries Sydney
2021 “Cloud trip” Libby Edwards Gallery Melbourne
2021 “Rock Candy” Harvey Galleries Sydney
2020 “Ancient Summer” Libby Edwards Gallery Melbourne
2019 “Un-discovery” Libby Edwards Gallery Melbourne
2019 “Transfigure”, Harvey Galleries, Sydney
2018 “Group Show” Margaret River Gallery WA
2018 “Terrain” Harvey Galleries Sydney
2017 “Group Show” Libby Edwards Galleries Melbourne
2017 “Recent Landscapes” Harvey Galleries Sydney
2017 “Recent Landscapes” Redsea Gallery Brisbane
2016 “Recent Work” Harvey Galleries Sydney
2015 “Vision of Solus”, Redsea Gallery Brisbane
2014 “Recent Paintings” Libby Edwards Galleries
2014 “Exhibition WA”, Gadfly Gallery Perth 2013
2012 “Recent Paintings” Libby Edwards Galleries
2011 Libby Edwards Galleries Sydney
2011 “New Surrealist paintings” Libby Edwards Galleries Melbourne
2010 “Recent Landscapes”, Libby Edwards Galleries Melbourne
2009 “Recent Landscapes”, Libby Edwards Galleries Melbourne
2008 “Recent Landscapes”, Libby Edwards Galleries Melbourne
2008 “Recent Landscapes”, Libby Edwards Galleries Brisbane
2007 “Coldsnap”, Libby Edwards Galleries Sydney
2007 Libby Edwards Galleries in Hong Kong
2006 Libby Edwards Galleries Sydney
2005 “Australian Landscapes”, Libby Edwards Galleries Melbourne
2004 “Recent Landscapes”, Libby Edwards Galleries Sydney
2002 Libby Edwards Galleries, Sydney
2001 Libby Edwards Galleries, Sydney
2001 Libby Edwards Galleries, South Yarra
2000 Libby Edwards Galleries, South Yarra
2000 Libby Edwards Galleries, South Yarra
1999 Libby Edwards Galleries, Portsea
1999 Libby Edwards Galleries, South Yarra
Painterly detail richly illuminates skies with delicate layers of graduated colour. Finger-painting adds immediacy to cliff faces and calligraphic brushwork delicately enhances tree branches. Lees admires Fred Williams’ abstractions in nature, and this influence appears in his reductionist tree forms.
Lees explains his intentions, “The Australian landscape is an enigma of nature’s imagination. I try to illustrate this concept in my paintings. In my canvasses no picturesque European gardens or manicured lawns are in evidence, but gnarly, craggy, primeval escarpments that plummet into the abyss. The landforms are not easily accessible, viewed only by floating on the deep black liquid with no floor, or birdlike, hovering over this strange land in a dreamlike trance. There are no sounds, no movement or signs of life, but fragments of familiar motifs such as boulders, trees and occasionally fence lines that suggest enigmatic past habitations.
I try to represent the Australian bush with emotions that can’t be written down. I want the viewer to feel alone, at peace, and privileged to behold this surreal landscape”.
Lees has built up a visual memory bank of composites from his travels, which he continually refers to and draws upon for his work. Secret streams of iron-coloured water for example, are bordered by iconic eucalypt and mountainsides littered with boulders, cliffs and crevasses – a scene not from one particular place, but a merging of various. Lees’ process is straightforward, beginning with a sketch which organises the painting, creating a sense of balance and proportion that is transposed onto the canvas. The resultant landscapes are still, stark, and mysterious. Lees strives to attain perfection in the way each subject is rendered and harmony in composition. Usually devoid of people and fauna, they echo the experience of the painter in the studio with only his creative muse for company.
“I like creating sheer cliff faces and the towering mountains. My paintings don’t depict one specific place. Instead I want to convey a feeling about the Australian landscape in totality.”
Demand for his work is now driven by overseas and local collectors. Lees is represented in corporate and private collections in Australia, Asia, Europe, the UK and the US.
BORN 1928 Sydney, Australia
DIED 2018 Sydney, Australia
STUDIES
Self-taught, attended night classes in drawing and design at the East Sydney Technical College from 1942-45 under Hayward Veal
Background
Charles Blackman is a major figure in Australian art of the post-war years. His haunting and enchanting images of women and girls, absorbed in daydreams or games have an enduring appeal. Two significant themes in his work have been the Schoolgirl and Alice in Wonderland. Deep shadows and the accentuation of his figure’s eyes occur throughout Blackman’s works with a pervasive sense of melancholy.
Charles Blackman was largely self-taught, but he attended night classes in drawing and design at the East Sydney Technical College from 1942-45 under Hayward Veal. Blackman was a co-founder of the Melbourne Contemporary Art Society in 1953 and was one of seven Antipodeans responsible for the Antipodean Manifesto – a reaction against what they saw as the meteoric rise of abstract expressionism and non-figurative art in Australia and its intolerance of figurative painting. He has exhibited frequently since and is known for his facility in drawing.
In 1951 Blackman married a poet, Barbara Patterson, who was to become a lasting presence in his work. His work is held in all Australian state and most regional galleries, institutional and private collections
1943-46 Studied East Sydney Technical College
1945-60 Lived and painted in Melbourne
1950s Painted Schoolgirl series, followed by Alice in Wonderland series
1960-64 Traveled and studied overseas after winning Helena Rubinstein Scholarship
1960-64 Lived and painted in London, exhibited at Whitechapel and Tate Galleries
1965 Tour of northern France and Flanders
1966-74 Lived and painted in Sydney
1975 Occupied Australian studio, Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1953-93 Numerous solo exhibitions in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, London and Tokyo, including a major retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria,
1993 Charles Blackman: Schoolgirls and Angels
AWARDS
1997 OBE
1963 Georges Invitation Art Prize, Georges Gallery Melbourne (one painting and one drawing)
1960 Helena Rubinstein Scholarship, Melbourne
1960 Dyeson Endowment
1960 George Crouch Prize, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
1960 Wins prize. A. Shore, The Age (February)
1958 George Crouch Prize, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery
1958 Rowney prize, Richmond Gallery Melbourne
1958 Collections
National Gallery of Australia, and all state galleries
Numerous regional galleries and university collections
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1993 Charles Blackman: Schoolgirls and Angels, catalogue for retrospective at National Gallery Victoria 1989 Shapcott, T., The Art of Charles Blackman, Andre Deutch, London 1983 Amadio,N., Orpheus the Song of Forever, Craftsman Press, Sydney 1982 Amadio, N., Charles Blackman’s Paris Dreaming, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Sydney 1980 Amadio, N., Charles Blackman: The Lost Domain, A.H. & A.W. Reed. Sydney 1967 Shapcott, T., Focus on Charles Blackman, University of Queensland Press, Brisbane 1965 Mathew, R., Charles Blackman – Monograph, Georgian House, Melbourne
Harvey Galleries was founded by the Harvey family in 1994 with an eye to establish a dynamic and inclusive contemporary art space on the North Shore of Sydney. For almost three decades we have expanded our reach to over three gallery locations and an ever expanding stable of the best artists Australia has to offer.
Harvey Galleries acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands upon which our galleries stand. The Guringai people (Seaforth), the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation (Sydney), and the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation (Melbourne).
We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
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