Robert Dickerson: an overview – a ‘first’ for the Shoalhaven

Robert Dickerson, Sibllings. 121 x 90cm Acrylic on canvas 50cm x 40cm

Robert Dickerson

The White cat II, Etching, aquatint, violet umber ink

Robert Dickerson, The Lovers – Cambewarra Mountain, acrylic on canvas 150 x 180cm –

21 January to 16 March, 2011, Launch: Saturday, 22 January, 12–2pm

A stunning exhibition by renowned Australian artist Robert Dickerson, 86, will open at the Shoalhaven Arts Centre on 22 January 2011.

One of Australia’s best-known figurative painters, Dickerson holds a unique position in the annals of Australian art history as a member of the infamous Antipodeans (1959). The group of artists – Charles Blackman, Arthur and David Boyd, John Brack, John Perceval, Clifton Pugh, Robert Dickerson and historian Bernard Smith, stood together in the midst of the growing trend of international abstraction to defend the tradition of the image in art. Dickerson remains as the only member still working today.

This is the first time Dickerson has exhibited in the Shoalhaven region where he has had a horse farm and studio for the past 13 years. His reclusive lifestyle on the farm gives him the necessary time and space to work and some of these paintings have been inspired directly by the landscape around Nowra, Cambewarra and Bundanon.

Adding additional local interest is the fact that a number of the etchings were printed in the Shoalhaven by master printer Andrew Antoniou at his Antpress Milton studio.

The collection of around forty works includes paintings, pastel and charcoal drawings and prints by this important artist. The wide survey of works ranges from a Geisha lino-cut at $900 to major paintings from around $80,000.

Dickerson has works in major art galleries throughout Australia, including the National Gallery in Canberra, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Galleries of Victoria, and Western Australia, and in Queensland Art Gallery and Darwin and South Australian Galleries as well as many regional galleries. His paintings have been shown in the Tate Gallery in London, in Holland, the USA, Hong Kong, and Beijing. He has received many awards including the Waratah Prize, Clint Prize an Honorable Mention in this year’s Blake Prize as well as a special award from the Chinese Governement at the Beijing Expo.

On view: 21 January to 16 March 2011. Launch: 22 January, 12–2pm.
Main and Foyer Galleries: Shoalhaven City Arts Centre, Berry Street, Nowra. 2541

Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am–4pm. Saturday 11am–3pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Contact: Tracy Glenn, Manager, Shoalhaven City Arts Centre, 02 4422 0648, glenn@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

www.dickersongallery.com.au

www.shoalhavenartscentre.com.au