In last weekend's SMH Spectrum, John McDonald called this year's Archibald a "generally acknowledged [...] dud show". He at least has some kind words for Tom Carment, Ross Laurie and Peter Gardiner in his review of the Salon des Refuses, the "breakaway" exhibition curated from the unselected entrants in the Art Gallery of New South Wales' Wynne and Archibald prizes.
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| Tax laywer and poet Geoffrey Lehmann by Tom Carment |
“If I had to choose a favourite portrait, I’d fall back on stalwart performer
Tom Carment, who has given us a typically sensitive depiction of
Geoffrey Lehmann…” – John McDonald, Spectrum, SMH, 28 April, 2012
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| Peter Gardiner, Swamp I (Burrumbeet), 2012 |
One of two “... original, confident works [...is] Peter Gardiner’s hypnotic Swamp I (Burrumbeet)” John McDonald, Spectrum
review: Salon des Refuses, SMH, 28 April, 2012
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| Ross Laurie, Ridge and Creek - Fowlers Gap, 2011, oil on canvas, 1200 x 1500 mm |
“The
two most impressive Wynne rejects are Ross Laurie’s Ridge and Creek –
Fowlers Gap and Gladdy Kemarre’s Anwekety (Bush Plum). One wonders what
Laurie has to do to be selected for the Wynne, as he is arguably one of
Australia’s most dynamic landscape painters, albeit in a semi-abstract
idiom. Although it is no easy matter to identify the specific features
if a landscape in Laurie’s work – let alone swaggies, jumbucks and other
standard bush items – he conveys a powerful sense of the heat and light
of the Australian environment – in this instance, the arid regions near
Broken Hill. – John McDonald, Spectrum review: Salon des Refuses, SMH,
28 April, 2012
Considered prestigous in its own right, we heartilty congratulate Tom, Peter and Ross for being selected into the Salon des Refuses, at the S.H. Ervin Gallery until May 20.
