Art mix for keen auction goers

A mix of traditional, modern, contemporary and Aboriginal art will characterise Deutscher and Hackett’s latest art auction from 7pm Wednesday November 27 at 105 Commercial Road, South Yarra.

One of the major paintings is Rupert Bunny’s Cherries, c1908. The work was part of his 1911 solo exhibition at the Baillie Gallery in London before being brought to Australia in July of that year for the Exhibition of Pictures by Rupert Bunny at Athenaeum Hall, Melbourne as part of his triumphant return after 27 years abroad.

Another is Birkdale Farm, 1980 by William Robinson. Robinson farmyards, as they are commonly known, are extremely important in the development of his work because they are central to his reconfiguring of the Australian landscape.

Brett Whiteley always appears to figure prominently in most Australian art auctions and this one is no exception. To Repeat Without Repeating is a 1973 work where he took on the sea as a new theme after the gruelling production of his monumental Alchemy panels earlier in the year.

Men Mixing Concrete, 1937 is a fine example of Russell Drysdale’s youthful interest in figure subjects and physical labour, while Rosalie Gascoyne’s Rose Red City 4, 1991-93 was inspired by her memories of a visit to the ancient Roman city of Petra in Jordan.

The Aboriginal art auction, which begins at 8.45pm, has several major and interesting works including Paddy Nyunkuny Bedford’s Joowarringayin – Donkey Spring Devil Dreaming, 2001 and Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s Kame Colour, 1995 is a boldly formed and powerful composition of lines to create a visual expression of her country.