Whiteley journeys bring fresh view of the world
11 September 2017
Journey somewhere new at familiar destinations
Brett Whiteley: other places (somewhere else), a new exhibition at Tweed Regional Gallery from 29 September, is a visual travelogue by one of Australia’s most celebrated artists.
Brett Whiteley travelled extensively throughout his life, setting down his experiences in charcoal, photographs and paint, creating a visual diary of Paris, New York, Tokyo and other destinations.
The exhibition reveals the artist’s intense desire to document his unique vision and experiences, showcasing these paintings, drawings, photographs and sketchbooks.
Brett Whiteley: other places (somewhere else) is an Art Gallery of New South Wales and Brett Whiteley Studio touring exhibition, developed in partnership with Cairns Regional Gallery.
It includes his early works of Paris, which had never been displayed, and his last experiences of the city when he returned to Paris at 50 in 1989.
“I first went to Paris at age 20, but was so obsessed with modernism and abstraction to paint it,” he wrote in 1989. “Now with fresh eyes, I could respond figuratively and lyrically to the one ravishing subject – Paris and her cultural heroes. Paris is so sensual, beautiful, flirtatious, mischievous, arrogant, orderly, civilised … and every street I turned, I could see another picture.”
Whiteley immersed himself in these cities, recording his impressions of the urban landscapes and the people within them, with great energy, humour and sensitivity.
In New York, he responded to the city’s dynamic environment and the broader social, artistic and political issues facing America at the time. In Japan, he saw first-hand how traditional methods of Japanese painting and drawing can capture a subject in a beautifully brief manner. He captured well known and loved destinations in a fresh but recognisable way.
Brett Whiteley: other places (somewhere else) will be on display at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre from Friday 29 September to Sunday 3 December 2017.
All are invited to attend three special events celebrating the exhibition:
An Evening with Wendy Whiteley: Thursday 28 September at 5.30pm (for 6.15pm). A talk by Wendy Whiteley and the Art Gallery of New South Wales Deputy Director & Director of Collections, Maud Page. Tickets: $35/Friends $30. Includes light refreshments. Limited seating, bookings essential by phoning (02) 6670 2790
Official opening: Friday 29 September at 6pm (for 6.30pm). Free event.
Special screening of the documentary WHITELEY at the Regent Cinema, Murwillumbah
Sunday 5 November at 4pm (DST) Tickets: $15/$12/$10 available at www.trybooking.com/29078
Introduction to the film by local printmaker David Preston, who shared a friendship and unique collaboration with Brett Whiteley. Tickets available on the website.
Additional screening, Wednesday 8 November at 7pm (DST) Tickets: $12/$10/$8 available at the Regent Cinema (02) 6672 8265
Image credits:
1. Brett Whiteley (Australia; England, b.1939, d.1992)
New York 1 1968
oil, collage, chrome and mixed media on plywood, 172 x 238 x 6cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Brett Whiteley Studio Collection
Photo: AGNSW
© Wendy Whiteley
BWS1785
2. Brett Whiteley (Australia; England, b.1939, d.1992)
The green mountain (Fiji) 1969
oil, collage on cardboard, 137 x 122 cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Gift of Patrick White 1979
Photo: AGNSW
© Wendy Whiteley
7.1979
An Art Gallery of New South Wales and Brett Whiteley Studio touring exhibition developed in partnership with Cairns Regional Gallery
Downloads
Photo 1(JPG, 123KB)
Caption: Brett Whiteley (Australia; England, b.1939, d.1992); New York 1 1968; oil, collage, chrome and mixed media on plywood, 172 x 238 x 6cm; Art Gallery of New South Wales; Brett Whiteley Studio Collection; Photo: AGNSW; © Wendy Whiteley; BWS1785
Photo 2(JPG, 207KB)
Caption: Brett Whiteley (Australia; England, b.1939, d.1992); The green mountain (Fiji) 1969; oil, collage on cardboard, 137 x 122 cm; Art Gallery of New South Wales; Gift of Patrick White 1979; Photo: AGNSW; © Wendy Whiteley; 7.1979