NGV Short Course: Fred Williams
Fred Williams Australia 1927–82, lived in England 1951–56 Springbrook, Queensland II 1971 gouache, watercolour, synthetic polymer paint on paper 55.6 x 77.4 cm National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased from Gallery admission charges, 1983 ©Estate of Fred Williams
To coincide with the exhibition Fred WIlliams: Infinite Horizons the NGV has organised a series of taks by local and interstate speakers over three Saturday afternoons in May.
ABout the Exhibition Fred Williams pioneered a new vision of the Australian landscape, and became one of the most important Australian artists of the twentieth century. This exhibition highlights Williams’ strength as a painter including important oil paintings and luminous gouaches to reveal his distinctive approach. He sought inspiration from the unique landscapes of places such Upwey in Victoria, Tasmania’s Bass Strait and the arid Pilbara region of Western Australia, drawing on the abstract potential of this vast country.
Although Williams is often associated with dry environments, this exhibition also presents his fascination with water – ponds, rivers,waterfalls and seascapes. Also of great interest are the portraits of family and friends Williams produced throughout his career, which show an artist engaged with his subjects, and intrigued by a sense of his sitter’s individuality.This comprehensive retrospective is the first major exhibition to focus on Williams in more than twenty five years. Curator Dr Deborah Hart, National Gallery of Australia, Coordinating Curator Humphrey Clegg, NGV.
Temporary Exhibitions, Level 3, NGV Australia, Federation Square until 22 July 2012.
Saturday 5th May, 2–4.30pm
Fred Williams: The man behind the work
Dr Deborah Hart, curator of Fred Williams: Infinite horizons delves into Williams’ perspectives on art and museums, as well as his insights into place and the painting process, as revealed through her research into his diaries and a range of interviews with the artist.
Fred Williams: The art of landscape
Irena Zdanowicz, former Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings at the NGV and co-author of the British Museum’s Fred Williams: an Australian vision (2004) will discuss the artist’s understanding of the history of landscape painting and consider Williams’ own painting against the background of developments in landscape art in the 20th century.
Saturday 12th May, 2–4.30pm
Fred Williams: Water
Robert Lindsay, Director, McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park discusses water as the major theme in Fred Williams work. Water as a focal point, water as a life force and water as a formative element in defining the structure of the landscape.
Paper, Copper and Canvas: Fred Williams as Draughtsman, Printmaker and Painter
Join Kirsty Grant, Senior Curator, Australian Art, for a discussion of Williams’ working method, focusing on the way that his extensive drawing and printmaking practice informed his work as a painter.
Saturday 19th May, 2–4.30pm
After Williams
Artist Imants Tillers reflects upon his engagement with Fred Williams’ work since the 1980s using examples of his own works.
Fred Williams and the myth of the Australian Bush
Join Humphrey Clegg, Assistant Curator, Australian Art for a discussion of Fred Williams’ response and contribution to this continuing tradition of the bush and mythology in Australian culture.
Venue: Theatre, Ground level, NGV Australia, Federation Square.
Cost: $35 A / $30 M / $32 C (per afternoon), $95 A / $85 M / $90 C (full series), includes afternoon tea, bookings essential by the Wednesday prior to each session
Bookings and Information: Ph +61 3 8662 1555, 10am-5pm daily, Event Code P1279