Australian Art (Europeans in the Pacific) - Eugene Von Guerard
1811 – 1901
Steavenson Falls
Oil on Canvas
No image
This painting really appealed to me originally because I love the rich colours used.
Amount of detail is really amazing and even conveys the texture of each object. The waterfalls are really bright contrasting against the deep colours, while acting as a focal point that leads your eyes around the painting. No part of this painting appears untouched or neglected, there is always something interesting to focus on. The artwork is painted with such movement that I feel as though the water is actually flowing.
(Tasmanian Art)
- Benjamin Law
1807 – 1890 
Woureddy, an aboriginal chief of Van Dieman’s land sculpture,
cast plaster painted.
(Image source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=32420)
As there were very few sculptures in this area it was the medium that attracted me. As I studied and observed Woureddy there were many other things that interested me. One aspect was the historical significance of the artwork. When reading the title I could not help but think of the story behind the work and what inspired Benjamin Law. I was surprised to find the sculpture was created from cast plaster since many sculptures from the same era were made from copper, bronze and other semi-precious materials. I wonder if this was because the sculpture was not of an English nobleman and how significant or appreciated would the sculpture have been when it was created. My favorite feature of the sculpture is how the amount of detail gives a good description on Woureddy’s character and personality. This is expressed from the overall composition, to the lines under Woureddy’s eyes. I felt as though I took away a large feeling of his personality without ever even meeting him.
Symbolism 
- Bernard Hall
1859 – 1935
The quest
Oil on Canvas
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=40558)
This painting appeals to me because it has a mysterious and relaxed atmosphere. This is created by the dark colours, composition, and how the focal point is floaty and dreamy. I think I like how the painting is mysterious because it makes me want to fill in the gaps and discover the message. As I am currently learning about how different kinds of mark-making enhance a picture I have a greater appreciation of Hall’s technique.
Modernism 
- Jon Perceval
1923 – 2000
Boy with cat 2
Oil on composition board
(Image source :
http://artsearch.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=70967)
I don’t really like this artwork. I find the image of the cat hurting the young boy very graphic and frightening. However I chose this artwork because it evoked the strongest emotion and reaction. The boy looks helpless and small compared to a fearsome and horrible creature that only slightly resembles a cat. Although I do not like this image I think the Perceval’s technique of distorting the cat to make it more fearsome very effective. It is as though we are seeing the cat through the boy’s eyes.
Australian – Spirit and Place. 
- Graces Cossington-Smith
1892 – 1984
Interior in Yellow
Oil on composition board
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=45746)
The technique is what draws me to this artwork. The short brush strokes are a very interesting form of mark making and make the artwork unique. This technique reminds me of mosaic tiles, how every small square contributes to the overall image. Each form, tone, line or space is created with a small individual brushstroke. The artwork is a little fuzzy up close but as you stand back you really get the total effect by being able to see the entire work. I like how this artwork made me move around to really see it. The brushstrokes create direction, repetition, graduation and transformation.
Sidney Nolan : Ned Kelly Series 
- Sidney Nolan
1917 – 1992
Ned Kelly
Enamel on composition board
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=28926)
I enjoy the complete Ned Kelly series because they tell a story. In this particular image Ned Kelly is riding lone in the Australian desert. I like how Nolan painted Ned Kelly in a contrasting style to the background. The background is detailed, colourful, with various tones and mainly organic shapes. However Ned Kelly himself is a geometric; solid black form with no tones. This creates a contrast which makes Ned Kelly become dominant and act as a focal point. This gives me the idea that Ned Kelly is confident, of strong character and mysterious. Communicating this is a great way to begin the story of Ned Kelly’s life.
Hard edge Abstraction
- Peter Booth
1940 -
Untitled (Red rectangle) 1970
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas.
(Image Source :
http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/climages/medium/Dd1/Dd101152.jpg)
This work does not appeal to me at all. In the handout “The art of wonder a history of seeing” it explains that many people are unfavorable of modern art because they are unwilling to ‘play visual games with the artist’ declaring there is a lack of skill. Therefore when I observe this work I try to keep an open mind. However I still cannot help but feel a minimal amount of effort and skill has gone into the work. I came to this conclusion not only from the artwork itself but the non-extent title. Although I can see several elements and attributes of design I just feel they do not work in unity in order to strengthen the image.
- Fiona Hall
1953 -
Paradisus Terrestris
Aluminum tin (23 sculptures)
(Image source :
roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/17/Fiona_Hall/87/35717/)
In the gallery it was really hard not to be fascinated by a row of delicate sculptures made from sardine tines. However once I looked closer the graphic images inside the tins shocked me. It is probably the initial shock of this series that assisted the sculptures in being the most noticeable in the room. I really like the media and technique Fiona Hall used. The sculptures are so delicate and beautiful and it would have taken a lot of skill to create them. I also liked how Hall had different plants in reference to separate sexual images. Although there was a universal message each individual sculpture was communicating something new, giving me the urge to analysis everyone single one.
Abstract expressionism 
- Jackson Pollock
1912 – 1956
Blue poles
Painting, oil, enamel, aluminium paint, glass on canvas
(Image source :
http://artsearch.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=36334)
I appreciate this artwork because of the individual technique and style. I like how there are so many contrasting colours, lines and directions and the painting continues to be harmonious. I also like the pattern of the lines traveling in all directions and the movement created by this technique. There is so much going on I could spend hours observing it, and with each glance I notice something new.
Minimalism and conceptional art 
- Dan Flavin
1933 – 1996
Monument to V. Tatlin
Fluorescent tubes (sculpture).
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=111377)
The light in the sculpture really attracted me to this work. I like how Flavin has reversed the silhouette of a building. At dusk or dawn the sky has a radiating light while the buildings look like long dark shadows. In this sculpture the background is dark and the building is bright and radiating. I think the artist did this to draw attention to the building and place it in a context. Ultimately this is to make a statement about the V. Tatlin.
Pop Art 
- Andy Warhol
1928 – 1987
Electric Chair no. 8
Synthetic Polymar paint on canvas
(Image source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=81182)
The use of negative and positive space attracts me to this artwork. The fluorescent yellow in contrast to the gray-ish blue makes the positive space very apparent. Everything in this artwork from form, space, line and texture is created from the positive space. This is a technique that interests me. The composition of this work is interesting; the majority of the objects and detail is on the far left. This leaves the right hand side quite bare, enhancing the empty and eerie mood. Which I feel is appropriate considering the context.
Abstraction 
- Josef Albers
1888 – 1976
Homage to the square: on an early sky
Oil on composition board
(Image Source:
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=32424)
At first glance I did not like this artwork. However when I read the title “Homage to the square: on an early sky” I understood the painting. The artist was experimenting with different shapes to convey something, which is traditionally and most commonly communicated using circles. The artist was communicating the scene of a sunset in new context. Learning this aided a greater appreciation the artwork.
Cubism and expressionism 
- Pablo Picasso
1881 – 1973
No title (guitar, glass and music score on the table)
Pencil, gouache.
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=72868)
The concept that attracted me to this artwork is how Picasso chooses to illustrate objects in a non-traditional way. Even though Picasso’s objects do not necessarily look like the original objects I could easily make out what they were without reading the title. I like this idea because I feel it encourages the viewer to use their imagination, and look at these objects in an entirely separate context.
Fauvism and school of Paris 
- Natalya Gonchcvove
1881 – 1962
Peasants Dancing
Oil on Canvas
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=156812)
The boldness of this work attracted me initially. The lines, colours, contrast, size and large brushstrokes are what make the artwork bold. This artwork has a lot of movement created by the large brushstrokes and composition of the dancing peasants. This movement gives the artwork an energetic and upbeat mood making the composition very effective. I like this work because it made me feel carefree.
Dada and Surrealism 
- Marcel Duchamp
1887 – 1868
Hat rack
Wood
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=44877)
The method used to display this artwork is what fascinated me. When I first walked in the room looking for something that made a strong impression I saw a strange shadow on the wall. Since the hat rack is hung on an angle I first thought was that shadow belonged to a very large spider so it soon got my attention. However as I looked directly above me I saw the hat rack suspended from the ceiling. I really like how the manner in which the hat rack is displayed, demands attention. This technique also draws your eyes away from the ‘typical’ area and singles out this one artwork.
Impressionism and Post Impressionism 
- Claude Monet
1840 – 1926
Nympheas (waterlillies)
Oil on Canvas
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=64894)
The atmosphere of this artwork is what appeals to me. The colours and technique create the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. The greens and blues used work together in a very harmonious way. While the loose and quick technique is very emotive and allows your mind to expand. As the painting is not an exact replica of what the water lillies would have looked like. It’s as though you’re seeing the scene through Monet’s eyes.
Southeast Asian Art
- Mochi people
Shawl 19th century India
Silk, cotton and embroidery
No image
The size and intricate design of the shawl caught my eyes. There is a mixture or bright and dark colours that create a nice contrast and encourage your eyes to move around the work. This shawl is very organized with everything facing the same direction and moving in a circular motion.. It also feels as though the design starts in the middle and works outwards. There are only particular animals and creatures inside different circles and the same animals are featured in different colours depending on what corner they are closest to. This gives the impression that the artist is telling a story. I think the story is about war and freedom, because there’s a large circle with soldiers. In the circle of soldiers are birds, angles and genies and outside are men and elephants.
East Asian Art 
- Meiji period
1868 - 1912
Satsuma-style jar and cover Japan
Hand painted Ceramic, gilded porcelain
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=131881)
The intricate design all over the jar is what appealed to me. The method of hand painting interested me because of the care, time and skill required. When I read the plaque I was amazed to find that the jar was created for trade. I liked how even though the artist was painting the jar for western purchase he/she put a lot of Japanese history and culture in the design. The jar has two contrasting sides. The first (as featured in the image) is of three Buddhist saints laughing. The background is really ornate and peaceful. On the opposing side is an image of a Japanese war that took place in the 1500’s, the background is darker and the people look angry and fierce. I think they are very unusual scenes to place opposing each other but are very effective together.
Degas’ World 
- Eugene Grasset
1845 –1917
La morphinomane
(The morphine addict)
Pencil
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=5409)
I like this image because the artist was making a statement. On the plaque it explained that the artist was recording events from the streets of Paris that were not acknowledged or recorded formally. I think this is important because it shows that drug addiction has always been an issue and controversial subject. I found it interesting that the woman in the artwork looks so desperate and fear stricken, while ‘giving in’ to something she feels she needs and probably does every day. Grasset conveyed the amount of pain and desperation the woman would experience throughout her addiction, acknowledging that everybody has their own story. I like how the entire page is filled with Grasset’s composition. I also like how Grasset used pencil to create certain lines and different effects. The pencil shows that Grasset kept some mistakes an aspect I admire.
National Australian Bank Sculpture Gallery 
- Robert Smithson
1938 – 1973
Rocks and mirror square two.
Basalt rocks and mirrors
(Image Source :
http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=14990)
This sculpture caught my attention because it always looks different. This is because the mirrors reflect, creating different views from separate angles, directions and distances. When I was at the gallery the security guard explained that when you bent down the mirrors continue to reflect ‘like infinity’. I found his take of the sculpture interesting and very opposite to my own. The composition and media remind me of a river or lake. However I appreciate how the simplicity of the design makes it open to countless notions.
(cordura advert http://www.cordura.com/en/index.html )
I also really admire the designer Christopher
