Painting “Newstead” 2015-16

A series of paintings about the shearing shed at “Newstead” near Inverell in northern New South Wales, where Tom Roberts painted ‘The Golden Fleece’ 120 years ago. The work was exhibited as part of Christine’s major exhibition “Shadowing Tom” at the Inverell Art Gallery in Feb-March 2017. Read More

Inspiration and off-site research

I spent several days late 2014 drawing on site at both the original shed and the “newer” shed on “Newstead”, doing prep drawings that would result in 30 watercolour paintings.  It was hot and quiet in the old shed. This was the most important shed in all of the history of Australian Art … but it didn’t look the same as in Tom Roberts’ time. From that recurring thought came a second body of work about the experience of painting on site  – the engraved perspex shadow boxes and artwork printed from them. Read more

‘The Golden Fleece’ is on permanent show at the New South Wales Art Gallery.  I visited it there, but was also given special access to Tom Roberts’ sketchbooks from Special Collections at the NSW State Library. It was an astonishing experience to handle the small books that he used to prepare his major works. I went to the blockbuster exhibition at the National Gallery in Canberra too, and read everything I could. 

From the outset this was always more than a project about a shed on a hill with a view.The title is about how the word ‘shadowing’ means following, but it also has connotations of being IN someone’s shadow. The off-site research added an unexpected dimension; the size of the exhibition space gave me room to move; the sheer unadulterated awe I felt for Tom Roberts spurred me on even more. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didn’t want to waste it. 

Artwork

Most of the paintings in this series have sold into corporate and private collections from Sydney to London. Those still available are hanging in Christine’s studio in Lismore. (visit by appointment)

Available Artwork

Click on image to see larger version.
Contact Christine directly if you are interested in any of these works. Prices range from $300-1850 depending on size and framed state.

 

 

 

Selected Archive

These paintings have sold. Click on the thumbnail to see full image.