Please visit or telephone the gallery
on +61 2 9327 8311 for the prices of these works.
Gallery hours are: Tuesday to Friday, 10-6
and Saturday 11-4
Narrative art tells a story. Much of Western art has been narrative, depicting stories from religion, myth and legend, history and literature. To tell a story, to describe an action, to create memorable characters and recall legendary events has long been for painters one of the fundamental tasks to which the artistic imagination addressed itself.
In modern art, references to political, historical or social issues or to events in the artist's life are commonplace. Biblical and mythological references are still used, as can be seen in Arthur Boydís ëMoses Striking the Stoneí and ëJonah Outside the Cityí. Such works are effectively modern allegories. These narrative works are always figurative, and commonly depict some action or event.
For example, Sidney Nolanís ëThe Defense of Aaron Sherrittí, depicts an event from the Ned Kelly story, which has become part of Australian folklore. Often, something has just happened or is about to happen, such as Jean Belletteís, ëThe First Landingí, depicting the arrival of Cook in Australia. Clifton Pughís ëMarking the Bullsí is more of an action scene, showing a bull being branded, while Fred Williamsí ëThree Figures in an Audienceí is a genre work, showing a scene from everyday life. Gary Shead uses a literary theme in his satirical painting, ëThe Travellersí, while ëThe Mockersí also has a biblical reference. Ray Crookeís ëIsland Blessingí illustrates a local religious festival, while Robert Dickersonís ëSingle Girlí leaves the viewer guessing about the story behind the picture.
The scenes presented are frozen in time, with the viewer challenged to piece the story together from carefully constructed compositions. Usually, the title of the work will refer to the event being depicted. It is the pleasurable discovery of the story and the skill with which the narratives are visually illustrated that make these works so satisfying.
An extremely valuable colonial collection of works with a historical narrative has recently been purchased by The State Library of NSW for $2.2million (including buyers premium). This album compiled by Captain James Wallis, of approximately 35 watercolours of Sydney and regional NSW, is claimed by Richard Neville, the State Librarian, to be ëthe most significant pictorial artefact to have been made in colonial NSW during the 1810ísí. Follow the link to see the full catalogue of works from this remarkable collection. http://www.gardnergalleries.com/live_auction.html?id=236 (click on view catalogue) |
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