And it's not just about the work, it's also the people who look at the work...
Seriously...who am I kidding...Jeffrey Smart is a Genius and always will be!!!
Mr Smart doesn't own the landscape, but at the same time he does, Because he has re-created, re-invented and re-educated us to understand what we are looking at...Not just your average container and traffic sign...
Age and perseverance can lead an Artist down the 'Yellow Brick Road', Mr Smart has been there many a time over the years...And you can see that in his work, as he has evolved as well, evolved, his work has become more fluid, a much more looser approach, especially his skies and clouded landscapes, not so hurried as most people would say, still with control and a freer brushstroke...
Seen by an aspiring Artist this chaos of road signs and traffic noise can embed an enduring sense of danger of colour and light and above all sound...Which is important...We don't want to lose anyone while they are painting traffic...So luckily we have the necessary safety equipment...So paint on!!!
'Richmond Park', at first glance I thought he had incorporated a touch of collage, but on closer inspection it's paint (just at the edge of the billboard where it looks like the paint is lifting) and well painted...And the figure study for this painting is a delight...
Mr Smart has made the common 'Parking Lot' a revered element in his work...Look at 'The Conversation', the narrative from these works will explain everything...Well almost...They add a little eyebrow raising and a bit of humour with the help from the brilliant red container...it's your decision!!!
This man has achieved a brilliant career as a painter and helped even brilliantly by Stuart Purves and Australian Galleries and if I was handing out gold stars, I'd be handing them out to everyone at Australian Galleries...
It took one man to show us the beauty of traffic signs and road works and we will never see those objects in any other way than through his paintings...And I don't think I'm alone when I think he's a 'Genius'!!!
written by fleur
22nd June - 10th July 2010
www.australiangalleries.com.au
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