Figurative 1981



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 200 x 120

signed, dated and titled [on reverse]

Coll.: unknown

It seems probable that the present painting, as shown at Metro 5 in 2002 and auctioned in 2003 (with photo and details as shown here), is the one first exhibited as ‘Figurative’ at Tolarno in July 1981, though it is not visible in the 1981 installation photos, and the other canvases in that exhibition were c.160 cm square.

See also the diptych Primitive Gold / Primitive Silver 1981 (Buxton Collection, Melbourne), and Primitive Silver 1984 (shown in Perth in 1985). All these works are obviously closely related to Primitive [mural] (1981) [W/P] and Primitive Silver 1982.

Provenance

  • P/C Sydney (acc.to Metro 5, 2002, and Sotheby’s 2003)
  • auctioned by Sotheby’s, Sydney, 25 Aug.2003, lot 147 (details as above; ill.; est.$20-30,000: sold for $23,000 plus buyer’s premium)

Exhibited

  • (probably) HA Tolarno 7/81, cat.12: as ‘Figurative’ (see comments above)
  • HA Metro 5, Melbourne, 2/02, cat.15: as ‘Figurative 1981’ (priced at $80,000)