Australian Literature Blog #3

CRITICAL BLOG

This is my response to the question: Write a brief summary of what you learnt in the gallery and/or focus on the one or two works that you found most challenging or interesting.

Art Gallery of NSW

The tour on the 26th August 2019, to the Australian Art Gallery of N.S.W. provided a thought-provoking insight into the works of 19th and 20th century Australian artists. Several themes that were discussed regularly during the tour include colonial settlement, heroism, observational and realistic landscape and the transitional perception of Australian culture. Similar themes and discussion were made in regards to the 1882, oil on canvas painting by Julian Ashton titled ‘The Prospector’ and the 1906, oil on canvas work by W. Lister Lister, titled ‘The Golden Splendour of the Bush.’

Within his work, Ashton has depicted the heroism of ‘The Australian Character’, where the image of a prospector searching for evidence of gold is represented as a genuine Australian. His stained clothing and tanned skin, a symbol of hard work and gain within the New World; the concept of the ‘Australian Dream.’ I found this image interesting as Ashton has created a sense of grandeur and magnificence within the image, where the darkness in the background of the work is contrasted by the saturated yellow of the sun hitting The Prospectors’ face and body. The size of the work is also interesting to note (213.4cm x 116.9cm), as within history is was often only figures with great power and status that were depicted in such a large and grand scale. If one was truly analysing this work, it would be possible to justify that Ashton implies a sense royalty within the work, the notion that within Australia, bushmen hold power.

The Prospector, 1882, Julian Ashton.

Similar to the concepts explored by Ashton, W. Lister Lister has studied and considered the native Australian Landscape, offering his own association to nature as majestic and affectionate. He also explores concepts of grandeur and dominance through the size and composition of the work. The viewers’ eyes are instantly drawn into the midground of the work, where a magnificent Sydney Red Gum tree stands at almost centre stage. The shadows to the left and the body of water in the right of the frame assists the viewer in creating special awareness in the work; establishing a sense of depth within the Australian bush. I think that opposed to the sensible and logical consideration and execution of the work; W. Lister Lister’s use of colour is significant in the general perception of nature in at the time. The use of pink hues of light surrounding the trees and water provides a magical and fantastical appearance of the Australian native bush. This use of pink can be linked to the artist and his personal connection to the rugged Australian flora, as pink is often associated with love and affection.

The Golden Splendour of the Bush, 1906, W. Lister Lister.

I believe the idea of the ‘Australian Dream’ and the rough “Aussie Outback” are still alive today and it intrigues me that these artworks in some way explores these concepts. Though the two artworks described and discussed above hold differing visual concepts, their meaning and symbolic similarities really highlight the perception of Australia, and its physical beauty as well as its changing culture.