Museum of Brisbane’s latest exhibition will showcase the majesty of Moreton Island with new works by Archibald Prize-winning artist Euan Macleod from 4 July to 12 October 2014.
Euan Macleod: Moreton Island will showcase a group of acrylics and oils by the eminent painter, comprising new works commissioned by the Museum.
Venturing to Moreton Island during the year to create a number of en plein air (painting in the open air) studies and oils for the exhibition, Macleod’s richly textured works explore the sublime and fragile ecosystem of the area.
Museum of Brisbane Director Peter Denham said it was an honour to have Macleod create new works for the exhibition.
“I have been in discussion with Euan about an exhibition at the Museum for a long time and I am thrilled that we have finally been able to work together. His dense and textured technique has really captured the atmosphere of the Island, transporting you right to its sandy shores,” Mr Denham said.
“Euan’s work is also the perfect companion to our other current exhibitions The River – A History of Brisbane and The many lives of Moreton Bay.”
From his visits, Macleod said he was intrigued by the diversity of the Island.
“My work is about the figure in the landscape and how it interacts with that landscape. The combination of the two and how the figure charges the landscape really attracts me,” Mr Macleod said.
“The other thing that attracted me were the wrecks, which seemed like a decaying, dark, emotional element of the Island. And they are quite strange, quite a surreal counterpoint to all these people and their water sports.”
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Macleod moved to Sydney in 1981 where he has lived and worked ever since. He is a regular visitor to Brisbane.
Macleod has received many prestigious awards including the 1999 Archibald Prize, 2001 Sulman Prize, 2009 Tattersall’s Landscape Prize and 2009 Gallipoli Art Prize, while his works are held in many public and private collections including National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Euan Macleod: Moreton Island is part of Document, an ongoing series of exhibitions at Museum of Brisbane that uncovers how artists, photographers and observers view and record Brisbane’s landscape, history and culture.
Museum of Brisbane is open daily from 10am to 5pm on Level 3 of Brisbane City Hall. Free entry.
EVENTS
A program of events will accompany the exhibition, including artist and curator talks, exclusive viewings and workshops. Bookings are necessary, for more information visit museumofbrisbane.com.au.
HIGHLIGHTS
Friday 25 July, 1pm
Free
Exhibition talk: Euan Macleod on Moreton Island
Join artist Euan Macleod as he discusses his work and the process through which he created the paintings in the Moreton Island exhibition.
Saturday 26 July, 10am-5.30pm
$55
Workshop: Figure in landscape
Take part in a hands-on masterclass with artist Euan Macleod and paint en plein air (in the open air) with the artist on the picturesque cliffs of Kangaroo Point. This is a unique opportunity to participate in a workshop with the well-known painter, who rarely leads classes anymore.
Sunday 29 September, 11am
Free
Curators Talk: The art of Moreton Bay
In conjunction with the exhibition The many lives of Moreton Bay and recently commissioned work featured in Euan Macleod: Moreton Island, explore the individuals and artists who have recorded Moreton Bay with Museum of Brisbane Director, Peter Denham.
Sunday 12 October, 2pm
Free
Curators Talk: The art of Moreton Bay
This is the final chance to have a unique Moreton Bay experience and discover the individual artists who have recorded Moreton Bay who are currently featured in the exhibitions The many lives of Moreton Bay, and Euan Macleod: Moreton Island. Presented by Museum of Brisbane Director, Peter Denham.
