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This film accompanies Backblocks, the 2022/23 major survey for leading Australian landscape artist Idris Murphy. Following the debut of the

This film accompanies Backblocks, the 2022/23 major survey for leading Australian landscape artist Idris Murphy. Following the debut of the survey at the Drill Hall Gallery in Canberra (August to October 2022), the film was screened continuously onsite during the run of the exhibition at both the Orange Regional Gallery (November 19 2022 to January 23 2023) and the SH Ervin Gallery (February 18 to April 20 2023). The film features sequences filmed with Idris, both in the field and in his various studios, over a 22 year period. The film explores Idris's ideas, techniques, and unique vision, through his own words. Locations include Mutawintji and Fowlers Gap in Far West NSW, and studios in Caringbah, Woonona, and Kurnell.

"This survey catches a great Australian painter at the height of his powers. Born in 1949, Idris Murphy developed deep roots in the history of painting as well as a profound feeling for the natural environment. Murphy’s idiom transcends “either/or”—it is indistinguishably landscape painting and painterly abstraction all at once. Arising from a sort of improvisatory incantation, the most vivid metaphors of land, space, light, mood and feeling seem to coalesce spontaneously and unbidden".

#fowlers gap #painting #idris murphy

Australian abstract artist Peter Sharp draws his inspiration largely from the landscape, especially the forms, tones, and colours of outback Australia. In his upcoming show, this other thing, Peter explores his long creative relationship with a particular stand of gum trees at Fowlers Gap in Far West NSW. The trees are reflected in abstract interpretations in drawings, small paintings, large paintings, and sculptures. A stunning suite of work, which will be on display at Liverpool Street Gallery in Sydney from September 7th 2019. The video is shot on location at Peter’s studio in Kurnell, just days before the show, with the works around him, some still in progress. The video is made by Sean O'Brien, who first worked with Peter in 2001 on the renowned arts documentary Two Thirds Sky - artists in desert country.

#fowlers gap #peter sharp

Empyrean: scattering of stars is the intriguing title of the 2019 exhibition of leading Australian landscape artist Idris Murphy. In this sneak preview film, Idris talks with characteristic intelligence and humour about the work to be featured in the show, and gives us some insight into his philosophical and creative approach. The film was shot in April 2019 in Idris's studio in Kurnell in Sydney, just days before the exhibition opening, and Idris is surrounded by his works, some newly painted. The film was shot by Sean O'Brien, who has been collaborating with Idris on films since they first worked together in 2001 for the renowned arts documentary Two Thirds Sky, and then again 2011 for the Not the Way Home project. The exhibition will run at the King Street Gallery on William in Sydney from May 14 to June 8, 2019.

#idrismurphy

Sean catches up with Elisabeth Cummings in her studio to ask her about a long life spent painting, her travels, and her beloved Wedderburn community. Elisabeth, who participated in the Not the Way Home project, is held in the highest regard in the art world, and now the octogenarian is celebrating the launch of a lavish book, and a major touring retrospective. The retrospective called Interior Landscapes is showing in Sydney at the SH Ervin gallery on Observatory Hill, and is attracting rave reviews and big audiences. Elisabeth divides her time between travel to remote and wild locations around Australia, such as the Kimberley, the Flinders Ranges, Arnhem Land and outback NSW, and extended studio time in her bush property in Wedderburn.

Sean O’Brien catches up with Peter Sharp on the occasion of his exhibition How to Draw Trees, 2017, to talk about Peter's career, his renowned drawing skills, painting process, and enduring love of the arid landscape, especially the country around Fowlers Gap in outback NSW.

A slideshow of images from Peter Sharp’s studio, showing the drawings, paper works, and sculptures created in the field at Fowlers Gap, all feeding into his larger paintings.

#peter sharp #drawing #liverpoolstreetgallery #art #fowlersgap #desert #outback

Ross Laurie paints in the field at Fowlers Gap.

#ross laurie #fowlers gap #desert #painting

Elisabeth Cummings is one of Australia's finest artists and a national living treasure.

In this film, Elisabeth gives a rare up-close view of her creative approach to painting in the field.

Elisabeth is overlooking a dry river bed at Fowlers Gap, north-west of Broken Hill in outback NSW. She plays with the forms of the sandy creek bed, the tall gums, red dirt and rocks, native grasses, the distant hills.

The playful and decisive mark making is a joy to watch - it's as if Elisabeth lives and breathes paint.

What emerges on the board is both evocative of the place, and a singular artistic vision.

Towards the conclusion, Elisabeth gives a rare on camera interview.

#Elisabeth Cummings #Fowlers Gap #painting

Artist Amanda Penrose Hart works on several of her long boards, in a creek bed at Fowlers Gap, Far West NSW.

#Amanda Penrose Hart #Fowlers Gap #painting

Artist Idris Murphy is one of Australia's leading landscape painters. Idris has been returning to Fowlers Gap in far west NSW for many years now, to draw inspiration for his renowned paintings. In this 15 minute film, shot while on the Not the Way Home expedition in 2011, Idris shows us how he begins his paintings in the field. Spontaneity, improvisation, accidents, and strategic mark making all play their part. He's located in a creek bed near the Ochre House.

#Idris Murphy #Fowlers Gap #painting

Fleur MacDonald creates a video walkaround at the Not the Way Home exhibition at SH Ervin Gallery in Sydney. May 2012.

#notthewayhome #shervingallery

In recent years there has been a spate of projects in which a group of artists are taken to some far-flung location and invited to respond t

Review of the Not the Way Home exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery, by critic John McDonald. Exhibition May-July 2012.

Painting Elisabeth, oil on board, 45 x 75 cm, Steve Lopes.

Fowlers Gap: 13 artists paint the desert, at Stella Downer Gallery 22 May-16 June 2012.

All the artists from the Not the Way Home expedition gather at Euriowie. Image by Sean O'Brien.

Back row l to r: Peter Sharp, Guy Warren, Ross Laurie, Idris Murphy, Merran Esson, Amanda Penrose-Hart, Sarah Bates, Margaret Ackland, Elisabeth Cummings. Front row l to r: Joe Frost, Euan Macleod, Badger Bates, Steve Lopes, Alan Jones, Jennifer Keller-Milne.

The arts laboratory on-site at Fowlers Gap has concluded. All the artists will now be working in their studios towards the group exhibition. The exhibition will premiere in May 2012 at the SH Ervin Gallery in Sydney, with a side exhibition at Stella Downer Fine Art, and will then tour, including to the Melbourne Art Fair, Buratti Fine Art Perth, and the New England Regional Art Museum.

This blog will remain online as an archive document of the field work. To view the journey in sequence please commence on page 10 and work back to this point.

Thanks for joining us on the journey. See you soon!

In this first wrap-up audio-slideshow, 6 of the artists talk about their reaction to the landscape, and share their work. Featuring Elisabeth Cummings, Guy Warren, Jennifer Keeler-Milne, Merron Esson, Euan Macleod, and Steve Lopes.

Ross Laurie getting wild with the oil sticks.

Works in progress: Ross Laurie, oil pigment stick on paper.

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