Artwork from two of the most successful Australian artists from the 1960s and 1970s is returning to the Melbourne limelight later this month in the one exhibition.
The work of Sydney and Melbourne based artists, George Baldessin and Brett Whiteley, will be shown at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in the Baldessin/Whiteley: Parallel Visions exhibition.
The Melbourne exhibition “showcases the ground-breaking pictorial language of both artists and reveals, among many aspects, their shared use of the human figure as a vehicle to comment on the human condition with a uniquely Australian sensibility,” says NGV director Tony Blair.
This unique showing promises to highlight the connections between Baldessin and Whiteley’s work. Different artists, yet both men linked through time and place.
“This is the first ever exhibition to draw parallels between the practices of George Baldessin and Brett Whiteley,” says Blair.
The complementary curation of the pair’s hybrid artwork is sure to provide the audience with a creative perspective and insight into 1960s/1970s Australian culture through the kindred showcasing.
Some of the major works set to be included in Baldessin/Whiteley: Parallel Visions are Whiteley’s immersive painting, The American dream, 1968-69, which is over 20 metres long and inspired by New York City.
A highlight of Baldessin’s work is the MM of Rue St Denis series, 1976, a creative interpretation of Mary Magdalene in Paris. In total, there are over 120 important works from both artists.
Baldessin/Whiteley: Parallel Visions opens on Friday, August 31 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. It will be showing until January 28 next year. For tickets and information visit the NGV website here.
Brett Whiteley
Sacred baboon 1975
brush and ink, wood stain, watercolour, gouache and cut printed colour illustration on cardboard
81.6 x 67.6 cm (image and sheet) National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased, 1978
© Wendy Whiteley
