Brett Whiteley: Tributes

Overview

When coming up with his visionary paintings, Brett Whiteley drew inspiration from all over the place. First, there were other artists, which included the likes of Francis Bacon, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh. But equally important were Whiteley's revered legends of music and literature, like French poet Arthur Rimbaud and, of course, Bob Dylan.

His many intimate portraits of these influences are now on show at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills, in an exhibition titled Brett Whiteley: Tributes. The collection includes Whiteley's Portrait of Joel Elenberg (1980), painted in the very year that the well-known sculptor died at just 32. There are also several impressions of writer Patrick White, including Patrick White Flaws in the Glass (1981), and a portrait of Lloyd Rees.

Meanwhile, Rimbaud's poetry and life are explored in The Rimbaud pages, a series of manipulated photographs, viewed through drawing, text, collage and screenprinting. And van Gogh's impact is demonstrated in the immense The starry night (1982), which is a deconstruction of the Dutch artist's famous swirling patterns. You can check out these works, among others, for free until August 28.

The Brett Whiteley Studio is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am until 4pm.

Image: Brett Whiteley Getting quite close, 1982. Brett Whiteley Studio Collection © Wendy Whiteley.