Art Gallery NSW: Australian Modern Art — Part 1 Australian Avant-garde

Modern Art: from Europe to Australia

In Europe, the transition from classical art to modern art occurred in the mid-19th century. Right before the transition, the academic painting was prevalent. It focused on painting beautified representations of real life. Impressionists, a group of painters in Paris, including Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Paul Cezanne rejected conventional academic tradition by capturing sunlight's momentary effect on a subject with rough brush strokes. Rejected by Paris Salon, the official art exhibition of a historic art school in Paris, Impressionists held an independent exhibition in 1874. Critiques and audience greeted their work with derision. A such art movement is Impressionism, and it marked the beginning of modern art in Europe. Modern art refers to experimental and progressive artistic practice that originated from modernism, a global movement that sought new ideas, subjects, and techniques to create artwork that aligned with the experience and values of modern industrial life.

In the 20th century, cities were socially, culturally, and physically transformed by the dynamics of modernization. In the rising structures of the metropolis, people adapted to new conditions and improved quality of life. Aspiring artists flocked to cities, especially Sydney, as they were primary sites for the encounter with modernity and diverse artistic critiques. Sydney artists noticed social changes brought by modernization. To depict the rapidly advancing society, artists sought innovative ideas and techniques from Europe, the birthplace of modernism. After returning to Sydney, artists propagated acquired ideas to like-minded artists.

Australian Avant-garde

Based on modernist principles and techniques from Europe, Sydney artists employed them in the Australian context. Australian artists portrayed Australian subjects based on observation of composition, form, and color with European avant-garde ideas and techniques. They developed their artworks further through collaboration. The such artistic practice created modern artworks truly unique to Australia, which was distinguished from European avant-garde artworks.
Australian modern art offers insights into the individual creative mind by telling stories of Australian encounters, cultural exchange between Europe, and artistic collaboration.

Roy de Maistre, Rhythmic composition in yellow green minor, 1919,

Oil on paperboard

Roy de Maistre is the Australian counterpart of Kandinsky in the European avant-garde. He devised the first Australian abstract painting. Kandinsky, the inventor of abstract painting, produced paintings that show the confluence of music and spirituality. Inspired by the ideas of Kandinsky, Roy de Maistre invented the theory of color harmonization. His theory is visually demonstrated in this painting. It shows the similarities between the colors of the spectrum and notes of the musical scale. Through his paintings, the artist encourages viewers to seek spirituality through abstraction.

William Roberts, The interval before Round Ten,

1919-1920, Oil on canvas

Two boxers are taking a rest before the tenth round of a boxing match. the artist positions the viewer above the setting, so they can have a complete view of the match. The tense atmosphere after an intense match is visualized through angular forms and an evident outline. The such distinctive technique is derived from vorticism, a combined style of cubism and futurism. The artist also took inspiration from Fernand Leger's proletarian subjects and his tubular depiction of forms.

Frank Hinder, Tram kaleidoscope, 1948,

Tempera on hardboard

This geometrical image is a result of the overlay of the interior view of a tram in Sydney and the prospect of the outside being seen from the inside. Two chaotically intertwined spaces are harmoniously integrated by irregular geometrical patterns. Seen closely, the space consists of the cylindrical tram, distant buildings, a zooming car, and a crowd of anonymous commuters. This dynamic and ambitious depiction of modern Sydney is a synthesis of Cubism, Futurism, and Orphism. This painting is a true legacy of the artist's distinct and innovative vision.

Thank you for finish reading the article. It is the first article of modern art chapter in the comprehensive study on Australian Art. The study is divided into three chapters according to era: classical, modern and contemporary. To view the complete list of the articles within the study, please direct to the linked article. 

Australian Art: from Classical Antiquity to Contemporary Emerging Talents

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