John Brack

"What I paint most is what interests me most, that is, people; the Human Condition, in particular the effect on appearance of environment and behaviour … A large part of the motive … is the desire to understand, and if possible, to illuminate … "

Last night was the latest depARTure at the Adelaide Art Gallery and the latest John Brack exhibition certainly did not disappoint!

This showing of the exhibition is the only one outside of Melbourne, where Brack lived, and it was a treat to see "The Bar" and "Collins Street, 5p.m." {see images 2 & 3 below} in real life as they are now regarded as some of the most iconic images of 20th century Australian art.

"The Bar" {see image 1 below} replicates Manet's famous work "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere" {see image 4 below} with an Australian spin; it depicts the short amount of time between close of business - p.m. - and close of the bars - 6p.m. - when men would huddle at the bar, not relinquishing the prized position at the front, to get the best out of one short hour - a practice typical of the era.

The Bar

Collins St. 5p.m.

I also enjoyed the ballroom series. I particularly loved the yellow one which I unfortunately can't find an online image of... if you're in Adelaide you'll just have to go and see it in the flesh!

A Bar at the Folies-Bergere

{image 1, images 2-3, image 4}