IMAGE CREDIT: Brett Whiteley (1939-1992) Self portrait drawing calligraphically 1975. Throughout his career, Whiteley would return again and again to the self-portrait, as a form of self-examination and self-dramatisation. ), 135 (colour illus.). WHITELEY, Brett (1939-1992) 'Self Portrait at 36, Comedown,' c1975. A handful of his own curly, reddish hair glued to the picture signifies a desire to explore a higher kind of realism, as if mere paint on canvas were insufficient to the task. Leslie Hollings (Editor), The Australian, Sydney, 17 Mar 1979, (illus.). Brett Whiteley AO (7 April 1939 15 June 1992) was an Australian artist. The original painting, done between 1972 and 1973 was composed of many different elements and on 18 wood panels 203cm 1615cm 9cm. See opening hours One image which uses van Gogh's style in a unique way is The night caf (197172). Richard Wherrett, Sydney Theatre Company Limited Ninth Annual Report 1987, Sydney, 1987, front cover (colour illus.). . The quality which unites them is a fluid energy of the brush, extending through the media of ink, watercolour and oil paint, reflecting a lyrical response to the calligraphic style. Last modified on Wed 19 Oct 2022 10.16EDT, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every Artists; A-Z Listing; Art movements; Schools and groups In 1989, he and Wendy, whom he had always credited as his 'muse', divorced. Back in Sydney at the end of 1969, Whiteley moved to Lavender Bay and became involved in the Yellow House artists collective in Kings Cross. The balcony 2 Brett Whiteley 1975 116.1981. Untitled (Bird) Brett . Jill Sykes, Look, Barry Pearces next book-call it segueing with intent, pg. Hilma af Klint, Buddha's Standpoint in the Earthly Life, 1920 Art Print. Brett Whiteley was born in Sydney on 7 April 1939. This is flanked on one side by a baboon howling with anguish as a ghostly hand delivers it a syringe, and on the other a photograph of the artist looking serenely normal. It was the cage of his interior, his addiction, the window or a glimpse of possible escape into paradise: the escape from one's psyche. Britt Larsson., The Sydney Morning Herald, 'Whiteley's poser', Sydney, 10 Dec 1977, 16 (illus.). gelatin silver photograph on paper (sheet: 50.4 cm x 40.4 cm, image: 45.2 cm x 30.8 cm) Brett Whiteley AO (1939-1992), artist, displayed a brilliant talent for drawing as a Sydney schoolboy. He painted a view of his friend Patrick White as a rock or a headland in Headland; White had told Whiteley that in the next life he would like to come back as a rock. Susan McCulloch, Alan McCulloch and Emily McCulloch Childs, The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australian art, Carlton, 2006, 1085 (colour illus.). Brett Whiteley - portrait 1 1975 Greg Weight. All Rights Reserved. Excerpt from the film 'The Australian Londoners' directed by Stefan Sargent. Max Prisk (Editor), The Sydney Morning Herald, 'Gallery packed as family pays tribute to tragic artist', pg. Source: Art Gallery of New South Wales Archive. 272-275, Port Melbourne, 2010, 3 (colour illus. Jenny Aland and Max Darby (Editors), Art Connections, 'Visual design or plan of artworks', pg. Purchased by the New South Wales State Government 1994, transferred to the Gallery 1998 Wendy Whiteley, In front of 'Art, life and the other thing', 1978, Brett Whiteley, 'Self portrait after three bottles of wine', 1971, Art Gallery of New South Wales. Brett Whiteley with Self Portrait in Studio 1976. (age36in1975). Susan Hunt, The Archibald Prize 1921-1993, Sydney, 1993, 23 (colour illus.). Jill Sykes, Look, 'McCulloch's Encyclopedia', pg. . Typically, the viewer is led deeper into the picture by means of minute detail. Sarah Engledow describes the fall-out once Brett Whiteley stuck Patrick Whites list of his loves and hates onto his great portrait of the writer. Related research topic ideas. He was aware of the harm he was doing to himself with his drug addiction, but worried that giving it up might impair his creativity. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. In the midst of such inner turmoil, the Self-portrait of 1977, is a remarkably straight work a still point in a stormy decade. This appeared in the `Arts' section of `The Australian Supplement'. The exhibition includes 20 Whiteley works and traces the artist's life and career from his earliest painting Self Portrait at Sixteen, 1955 to just a few months before his death with Port Douglas, Far North Queensland 1992. Rodney James., WARNING: Smoking has been linked to some of the most powerful images of the twentieth century, 'Come to where the flavour is, smoking, cigarettes + modernity', Mornington, 2006, (colour illus.). It started with a peaceful, dreamlike, serene ocean scene on one side, that worked its way to destruction and chaos in a mass of lighting, red colours and explosions on the other side. In London he excited art dealers and fell under the influence of painters such as Francis Bacon, of whom he later made a series of portraits. [2], In explaining his use of collage, which often saw him adding photographs or objects to a canvas, Whiteley said he did it: when I feel the need to describe in the focus of the painting something that requires infinite realism, a realism so absolute that no amount of painstaking brush strokes can accurately describe it. [3]. It premiered at the Sydney Opera House on 15 July 2019. Explore the tradition of interior and still life painting by examining the work of Johannes Vermeer, Henri Matisse, Vincent van Gogh, Giorgio Morandi and Margret Preston. The elongated centre image of Whiteley references the uproar over William Dobells unconventional Archibald-winning portrait of Joshua Smith of 1943. Sue Williams., Saturday Mercury, 'Whiteley gone but his great spirit lingers on', Hobart, 20 Jun 1992, 17, 20. Its not the dark, edgy image of a celebrity, but the portrait of an artist. He had many shows in his career, and lived and painted extensively in Italy, England, Fiji and the United States. On weekends Whiteley painted around the New South Wales country towns of Bathurst, Hill End and Sofala, producing works such as Sofala 1958. At the time of print Olsen and Coburn were board members of the Art Gallery of NSW. 9-13, Cammeray, (1995-1996), 9-13. This article appears in the 'Focus' section of the newspaper. After leaving school in 1956 at the age of 17, Whiteley worked in Sydney for the advertising agency Lintas. Why does he reference these artists in his self-portraits? Brett Whiteley - Artist (1939 - 1992) After winning a grant from the Art Gallery of NSW at the age of 22, Brett Whiteley set up residence in London where he amazed art collectors with his highly sophisticated paintings. Artist Natasha Walsh with her nearly completed Archibald Prize entry, a riff on Brett Whiteley's winning piece, 'Self-portrait in the studio'.Janie Barrett. He painted abstracted images of bush scenes such as The bush (1966)[13] and also images which resulted from experimentation with various drugs, such as alcohol in the humorous Self portrait after three bottles of wine (1971).[14]. Their only child, daughter Arkie Whiteley, was born in London in 1964. 2), 'The Archibald Prize', pg. [24] The paperback, featuring a new cover, was released in 2017. and their inevitable separation added to the artist's problems with substances and self-doubt. How did his studio inspire Brett Whiteleys art-making? One includes Australian artists John Olsen, and John Coburn examining Whiteley's Archibald prize-winning entry. (1939-1992 ) One suspects a touch of trichophilia a fetishising of hair with vague sexual overtones. Jennifer Phipps role at the time of publication was Curator of Australian Art. Saturday 29 April to Sunday 20 August 2006. 19-22, Sydney, 20 Jun 1992, 19-21 (illus.). 1976 Self Portrait in the Studio 1978 Art, Life and the other thing Wynne Prize 1977 The . Exhibition Commentary: Brett Whiteley at Bonython, Sydney. [23], The book was longlisted for a Walkley Book Award and Australian Book Industry Award, and shortlisted for the Australian Book Design Awards and the Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award. 28-29, Sydney, 09 Sep 1995, 28-29. [1] He held many exhibitions, and lived and painted in Australia as well as Italy, England, Fiji and the United States. List of works. He won the international prize at the second Paris Biennale for Young Artists in 1961, and married his beautiful . Contemporary Art Quilter Pat Pauly's random thoughts and excursions made public. In July 2016, Text Publishing published Whiteley's biography, titled Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the Other Thing. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. The balcony 2 Brett Whiteley 1975 116.1981. Tributes to Brett Whiteley collectively written by Stuart Purves; director of Australian Galleries, Doug Hall; director of Queensland Art Gallery, Colin Lanceley; artist, Mary Eagle and Andrew Sayers; curators of Australian Art at the Australian National Gallery, and, Paul Delprat; Principal of The Julian Ashton Art School. Bill Gregory, Art and Australia (Vol. Wendy Whiteley, former wife of Brett Whiteley, talks about the work 'Self-portrait in the studio' (1976). Brett Whiteley is one of Australia's most celebrated artists. He also spent time in the USA staying at New Yorks Chelsea Hotel, where he associated with counter-culture celebrities such as musicians Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan and in Fiji. Verbal and visual in Brett Whiteley", "Translating an imagetext: verbal and visual self-representation in Brett Whiteley's Interior, Lavender Bay", Brett Whiteley's friend and colleague George Sheridan webpage, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brett_Whiteley&oldid=1142217923, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 04:16. Lou Klepac, Brett Whiteley Drawings (2013). This is an advertisement for an art book titled `Brett Whiteley' by Sandra McGrath. 2023 John McDonald. His wife Wendy appears as "Delish". This is a repeated advertisement for an art book titled `Brett Whiteley' by Sandra McGrath. He believed he had a gift he needed to share with everyone but couldnt escape his habitual self-centredness. Wilson quotes a letter the artist addressed to his mother, in January 1979, in which he writes of the realization (sic) of the deep responsibility I have to my talent, to share it with my fellow Australians with the world I am fighting the biggest struggle of my life at the moment. In 1976 he became the first artist to win the Archibald and Sulman prizes in the same year; having won only the Wynne in 1977, in 1978 he became the first artist to win the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes in the same year. PROVENANCE. The sculpture depicted on the right and others in the . And now perhaps just a bit taken with her own image', pg. List of works. Photograph of Brett Whiteley also appears with this article. Brett Whiteley is photographed by Robert Walker at. 15-41, London, 1995, 35, 165 (colour illus. The Hotel Chelsea displayed several of Whiteley's paintings from the time he lived there, including Portrait of New York which was hung behind the reception desk.[7]. 63-87, Sydney, 1999, 77 (colour illus. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified. Whiteley loved painting Sydney Harbour views in the 1970s such as in his paintings, Henri's Armchair (1974)[10] The balcony 2 (1975)[11] and Interior with time past (1976),[12] which show an interior and exterior view starting with a room that leads through open windows to the harbour full of boats outside. Portraiture for Brett Whiteley was an insight into the psychology of the human condition. Wendy Owen., Age, 'Archibald and Sulman prizes scooped by Sydney artist; Whiteley wins the big double', Melbourne, 22 Jan 1977, 2 (illus.). This approach was intended to allow Whiteley to speak "in his own words" about his life and art. Michaela Boland., The Weekend Australian, 'Whiteley's ex-wife ready to fight forgeries', Canberra, 06 Nov 2010-07 Nov 2010, (colour illus.). Shop today! Were not looking at a would-be genius or a sinful penitent. 44-45, Sydney, Jun 2012, 45 (colour illus.). Barry Pearce, Three years on: a selection of acquisitions 1978-1981, 'Australian Art', pg. No other Australian artist had such a wild, woolly set of curls. Terry Smith, Australian cultural history, 'Populism and Privilege in Australian Painting', pg. Photograph of Whiteley's 'Self Portrait in the Studio' is taken "stored in the bowels of the Art Gallery of NSW", by Bruce Miller. This article appeared in the 'Arts Australian' section of 'The Australian' newspaper. card no. Shown in 22 exhibitions. Editor Unknown (Editor), Brett Whiteley The Retrospective, This exhibition travelled to Victoria from New South Wales, Melbourne, pre 02 Jul 1996, Cover (colour illus.). 71-89, Sydney, 1984, 72, 72 (colour illus.). The music will be written by Elena Kats-Chernin, with a libretto by Justin Fleming. Are you being ignored or judged? His reference to art history, including an image of the famous 1943 William Dobell portrait of Joshua Smith, won a court case against accusations that it was a caricature, not a portrait. 165-213, Kensington, 1979, 204 (colour illus. card no. This appeared in the `Arts' section of `The Australian Supplement'. 15, Sydney, 29 Jun 1997, 15 (illus.). The second painting has a completely different tone. Thomas Keneally, Australia, 'Dead heart / live heart', pg. Portraiture shouldnt just be paint and canvas. The Brett Whiteley Retrospective', pg. High quality Art Print. This article appeared in the `Art' section of the newspaper. 213-236, Sydney, Summer 1982, 235 (colour illus.). 15-41, London, 1995, 35-36, 145 (colour illus. Barry Pearce, Brett Whiteley Art & Life, 'Persona and the Painter', pg. The dominant impression is one of luxe, calme et volupt, in the manner of Henri Matisse, whose painting, The Red Studio (1911), was Whiteleys chief source of inspiration. He left Australia for Europe on 23 January 1960.[4]. He lived in the northern suburb of Longueville and attended Chatswood Primary School, then Scots College in Bathurst. 6-7, Sydney, 1981, 6, 25 (colour illus.). Terry Ingram., The Australian financial review, 'Sir John's art fetches $42,000', Sydney, 24 Aug 1981. The Self-portrait of 1977 sits squarely between his two Archibald Prize winners: Self-portrait in the studioof 1976, and Art, life and the other thing in 1978. Joan Clemenger AO and Peter Clemenger AO, Melbourne, acquired from the above in April 1979. This article was written in regards to Whiteley winning both the Archibald, and Sulman prizes in 1977. unknown author., Northern Star, 'Archibald Prize won by Sydney artist', Lismore, 22 Jan 1977. unknown author., The Australian, 'Archibald Reflection', Sydney, 22 Jan 1977. This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. ), 81. He met other artists and musicians while he lived at the Hotel Chelsea, where he befriended musicians Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan. List of winners. He then turned to series of paintings of waves, interiors, the harbour, and coastal landscapes. While he was a teenager, he painted on weekends in the Central West of New South Wales and Canberra with such works as The soup kitchen (1958). ), 232. plate no. David Christian, 'At Lintas advertising agency, Sydney', c1956. Closed Good Friday & Christmas day This article appears in 'The Australian Magazine' a liftout of 'The Australian' newspaper. Ursula Prunster, Aspects of Australian art, Sydney, 2000, (colour illus.). Donald Richardson, Art & Design in Australia, South Yarra, 1995, 15, 60, 80, 83, 137, 140, 145, 163, 243.. Peter Ross, Let's face it: the history of the Archibald Prize, Chapter 4: Into the 1970s, pg. TheCompanion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store. However, this painting also hints at a darker side, as Wendy Whiteley explained in 1995: he was warning himself and other people watching. 1945 LtGen Edmund Herring by William Dargie. I think he has done this to make the place seem more realistic because if he had . Anne Ryan, Look, 'Drawn to the line', Sydney, Jan 2019-Feb 2019, 34 (colour illus.). Jane Hampson, Sun-Herald, 'Brett Whiteley's Images of Sydney Harbour', pg. Michaela Boland., Weekend Australian, 'Master cards', pg. Archibald Retrosepctive Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1985-1985. (1974) The balcony 2 (1975) and Interior with time past (1976 . Art market auction sales from the 1970s to 2023 for 3,338 works by artist Brett Whiteley (1939-92), and values for over 18,000 other Australian and New Zealand artists. Many who were close to Whiteley, then aged 39, felt sure he would not survive beyond 40. 21, Port Melbourne, 2005, 21 (colour illus.). Review of 'WARNING: Smoking has been linked to some of the most powerful images of the twentieth century' exhibition, held at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. ), 21. Self-portrait with reading specs, 1991. This article appeared in 'The Arts' section, and Dr. Keeney discusses problems artists have when painting their own hands. Whiteley looks out at us directly, with none of the emotional address of his early Van Gogh style portrait, none of the mock decadence of 1976, or the drug-fuelled angst of 1978. Apart from the mirror portrait, this was clearly inspired by Matisse's Red Studio, with the colour transformed to Whiteley's favourite ultramarine blue. Brett Whiteley is one of Australias most celebrated artists. 6-7, Melbourne, Jul 1996, 6 (illus. Richard Cotter, Change and continuity; 20th Century Australian History, South Yarra, 1998, 177 (colour illus.). 174-195, Oxford, 2001, 190 (colour illus.). Sandra Jane, Art is making, creating and appreciating 2, Milton, 1999, 121 (colour illus. Closed Good Friday & Christmas day Brett Whiteley self-portrait, Remembering Lao Tse (Shaving off a Second), 1967 [image link from artquotes.net] . 15 Jun 1992. Transmission films. His expression is completely blank, as if he wanted only to pause and take stock of himself. Brett Whiteley, 'Self portrait in the studio', (1976) Elisabeth Cummings, 'Journey through the Studio', (2004) . Sandra McGrath, Brett Whiteley, Detail of 'Self Portrait in the Studio' on cover page of book, Pymble, 1992, cover (colour illus.). Brett Whiteley - Far North Queensland (1992) oil, earth, charcoal, collage on plywood. 3], Sydney, Jan 1976-Mar 1976, 233 (illus.). 201-202, North Ryde, 2010, 202 (colour illus.). See all 85 works. According to art writer Bruce James, the self-conscious inclusion of the austere pronoun 'IT' that also makes up part of the work compacts life, passion, death and faith in a single empowering word and unites the notional wings of an altarpiece to nascent addiction. The work is an anthology of Whiteley motifs, including the view of Sydney Harbour from a window, a reclining nude, an armchair, and a piece of blue-and-white . A foundational moment in Whiteleys journey occurred while he was boarding at Scots College in Bathurst, New South Wales, when, one Sunday, he found a book on Van Gogh at St Stephens Presbyterian Church: I picked the book up and studied it it completely changed my way of seeing. The scholarship enabled Whiteley to travel to Europe and experience first-hand much of the art he had only seen in reproduction. Unknown (Editor), Sun-Herald, 'The canvas of chaos - Brett Whiteley interview with Sam Newman', pg. 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. The Melbourne Argus, Saturday 21 January 1956 reported; 'South Australian artist, Ivor Hele today won the 1955 500 Archibald Prize for the fourth time, and the third year in succession. unknown author., Sun news-pictorial, 'Brett wins art double', Melbourne, 22 Jan 1977, (illus.). [4] For Whiteley it was more like a compulsion to break the imaginary rules of painting, to be spontaneous and transgressive and to be recognised for these revolutionary gestures. Kandinsky had a complex, theoretical understanding of the term, involving the artists personality, the context of their times, and the harmonious nature of a composition.
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