Together with drawing, watercolour was most often the medium of choice for documenting the early years of settlement in Queensland, especially to depict the landscape, chosen for its ability to record fine detail, evoking atmosphere, and most favoured for its portability and convenience. In this watercolour Farm landscape with colonial homestead 1888 Robert S (Saunder)…
Continue reading » “Go back in time with early Brisbane watercolours”
Watercolours feature in the earliest records of European exploration and settlement of Australia. Its continuous presence in the history of Queensland art has changed and evolved with shifts in culture, as well as with the demands and innovations of its practitioners. We look at the medium’s important role in enriching Queensland’s visual history. Together with…
Continue reading » “Documenting Queensland’s history through watercolour”
Of all the works by (Frances) Vida Lahey (1882-1968), she is best known for her depiction of the weekly wash-day, Monday morning 1912 (illustrated). Known as a painter of oils on a wide range of subjects, she was also recognised throughout her career as a watercolourist of distinction for floral still lifes, therefore we have…
Continue reading » “Vida Lahey: Known for her distinctive flower studies”
The Hermannsburg School of watercolour painting is the longest continuing contemporary Aboriginal art movement, spanning the period from the mid 1930s to today. This important movement was established at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) before moving to Alice Springs, 125 kilometres to the east. Here, the families of the original painters have continued the tradition, living and working…
Continue reading » “Arrernte Watercolours integral in the Namatjira story”
The watercolour The bark hut on the plain, Darling Downs, Qld., Mount Sturt from Glengallan c.1850s by Conrad Martens (1801–78) provides new insights and connections to the colonial history of Queensland’s Darling Downs. In late 1851 the Sydney-based painter Martens arrived in Brisbane from Sydney via sea, and for the next few months travelled on…
Continue reading » “Conrad Martens: Insights into Queensland’s history”
‘Transparent: Watercolour in Queensland 1850s–1980‘ presents an exploration of the breadth and diversity of watercolours held in the Collection. Watercolours appear in the earliest records of European exploration and settlement of Queensland. This new display demonstrates the medium’s important role in the state’s visual history. Join us at the Queensland Art Gallery on Saturday 22 March…
Continue reading » “Transparent: Watercolour in Queensland 1850s-1980s”
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.