On Monday 1st of August the Art Appreciation group were fortunate to listen to a talk by Benalla Art Gallery Director Bryony Nainby on ‘The Salon’, a collection of the Gallery’s paintings that have been brought out of the storage area for exhibition in the Ledger Gallery. The paintings have been arranged in clusters– flowers, landscapes, people etc. – in ‘salon’ style and are mostly by Australian painters.
One of the flower paintings, by the influential painter and teacher Max Meldrum, is appropriately called Japanese Vase with Flowers. Bryony explained that Meldrum formulated a theory of color that had an impact in artistic circles and presumably this painting was done following his philosophy.
Bryony also spoke at length about a painting titled Land Army Girls at Finchley painted by Dora Meeson in 1919. This depicts a number of girls in Land Army uniform working on the summer harvest.
One of the paintings in the landscapes and animals cluster is a painting called Full Swing on the Board by Jan Hendrick Scheltema. This excellent painting depicts a shearing shed in full swing but has the misfortune to resemble Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams. I believe this painting is of equal standard to Roberts’ painting and is an excellent example of semi industrial rural life in Australia. It is unfortunate that it has not received more recognition.
Bryony also spoke at length about a painting titled Land Army Girls at Finchley painted by Dora Meeson in 1919. This depicts a number of girls in Land Army uniform working on the summer harvest.
One of the paintings in the landscapes and animals cluster is a painting called Full Swing on the Board by Jan Hendrick Scheltema. This excellent painting depicts a shearing shed in full swing but has the misfortune to resemble Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams. I believe this painting is of equal standard to Roberts’ painting and is an excellent example of semi industrial rural life in Australia. It is unfortunate that it has not received more recognition.
Perhaps the most interesting painting in the exhibition is called Of Excellence and Passion by Lindy Lee. Bryony paid particular attention to this dark painting which has a figure vaguely showing through for the viewer to contemplate. Painted in 1988, its intention is to engage the viewer’s mind. It does this.
We thank Bryony for her enjoyable and informative lecture. Bryony also announced that she will be endeavouring to bring more paintings out of storage for the public to view.
I would recommend all people attend the Gallery to view the current exhibition (which continues to 11th December) and subsequent exhibitions.
Neville Gibb
Art Appreciation meets monthly at Benalla Art Gallery. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 5th September at 10am.
I would recommend all people attend the Gallery to view the current exhibition (which continues to 11th December) and subsequent exhibitions.
Neville Gibb
Art Appreciation meets monthly at Benalla Art Gallery. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 5th September at 10am.
