Gareth Sansom: Transformer
Gareth Sansom: Transformer traces the career of one of Australia’s most provocative artists. A pioneering figure of the Australian avant-garde for more than 60 years, the Melbourne-born artist is renowned for his luridly colourful and densely-layered paintings, collages and watercolours.
Drawing influence from Francis Bacon and British pop art, Sansom’s works merge disparate visual references, imagery and his own mark-making, exploring the themes of popular culture, Australian vernacular, religion, sex and gender.
This is the largest survey of the artist’s work to date, with more than 130 works spanning his entire career. Suites of works on paper and photography complement more than 50 paintings, including many vital works from the past 15 years, and a number that have never been exhibited before.
There will also be the following events scheduled in relation to the exhibition.
GARETH SANSOM IN CONVERSATION
Monday 18 September, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
A pre-eminent figure of the Australian avant-garde for over 60 years, Gareth Sansom merges pop culture references with intuitive and gestural mark-making. Hear the artist reflect on his career in conversation with art critic Sebastian Smee.
Speakers: Gareth Sansom, artist and Sebastian Smee, art critic
Cost: $12 M / $15 A / $13.50 C
Venue: Exhibition space, NGV Australia
CURATOR’S PERSPECTIVES
Sunday 17 September, 11am
Speaker: Simon Maidment, Senior Curator, Contemporary Art
Cost: Free
Venue: Exhibition space, NGV Australia
Wednesday 25 October, 2pm
Speaker: Pip Wallis, Curator, Contemporary Art
Cost: Free
Venue: Exhibition space, NGV Australia
FILM SCREENING: PSYCHO
Sun 29 Oct, 2pm
(1960, M, 96 mins)
Gareth Sansom often takes breaks from working in his studio to watch films, with references found in his body of work. Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film Psycho had a profound effect on Sansom, with his painting Bates Motel referencing the movie.
Cost: Free, bookings recommended
Venue: Theatre, NGV Australia