THE MIND’S EYE
Now showing until 7 October 2013
Gallery 6
Free admission
Since the late 1950s a number of Australian artists have sought to give form to the intangible, seeking a visual language to express their deep inner thoughts and emotions. These artists are less interested in representing reality and more concerned with articulating their personal visions in abstract form.
The mind’s eye brings together works of art from the Gallery’s collection that demonstrate an ongoing exploration of abstraction in Australia. The artists in this display have each developed a unique visual language influenced by aspects of International Abstract Expressionism, Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and Australian Aboriginal art.
Contemporary Aboriginal artist Clinton Nain uses bleach to make bold, graphic gestures that
reference the whitewashing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Tony Tuckson’s rapidly
applied brushstrokes are similarly calligraphic in style and reveal the hand and mind of the
artist. In contrast, John Olsen’s exuberant mark making conveys the feeling of the Australian
landscape and a sense of paint moving in parallel with nature.
detail: Helen FULLER, born Adelaide 1949,
Loose ends, 2006, Adelaide, synthetic polymer paint on Chinese paper, 99.5 x 50.5 cm
(framed); Ed and Sue Tweddell Fund for South Australian Contemporary Art 2006
