Forward thinking collector auctions his paintings

Peter McMahon is a collector well ahead of his time when it comes to taste and forward thinking.

Although he began collecting art in his 20s, it was not until 1987 that he realised what it was he loved about art.

The revelation followed his viewing of the exhibition Surface for Reflection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales when he was able to identify texture, surface and colour as the elements he most admired.

Such a realisation went onto shape McMahon’s collection and, with wife Jennifer, he designed a home to house it.

Essentially, the home had plenty of wall space to show off the art – and both their house and collection were featured in Italian Architectural Design (one of the few Melbourne abodes to do so) and Vogue Living.

The McMahons no longer live in the home and, in recent times, much of their art has been in storage as they prepare to downsize.

Accordingly, they have asked Mossgreen to auction their collection from 2.30pm Sunday March 6 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

The sale features works by many high profile artists rarely seen at auction including Callum Innes, Jan Senbergs, John Walker, Ken Whisson, Angela de la Cruz, Harvey Quaytman, Mari Funaki, Robert Klippel, Aide Tomescu, Bill Henson and Robert Hunter.