The Triumph of Modernism in the Art of Australia

28 March to 24 May 2015

_{Image:  John Olsen Saulte to Cerberus 1965, , oil on plywood. TarraWarra museum of Art collection. Gift of Eva Besen and Mark Besen AO 2001.}

The Triumph of Modernism told the story of a new identity in Australian art commencing post World War II with artists such as Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Russell Drysdale, John Brack, John Perceval and Charles Blackman. Later years saw the continuing development of modern art in the works of Fred Williams and John Olsen, and in more recent times in contemporary art by artists Imants Tillers, Howard Arkley and Aida Tomescu. The Triumph of Modernism was a rich and representative display of the story of modern Australia, with a particular and deliberate emphasis on Australian identity, although it is just a glimpse into the remarkable collections.

Curated for Hazelhurst by its patron, Edmund Capon, the exhibition provided an opportunity to see some works that are rarely made available for public viewing. Edmund Capon said, “My objective here has been to illustrate two themes; firstly the triumph of modernism in Australian art and, secondly, the particular qualities and strengths of the TarraWarra and Besen collections.”

The Triumph of Modernism was also shown at TarraWarra Museum of Art from 21 June to 16 August 2015.

This exhibition was a partnership project between TarraWarra Museum of Art and Hazelhurst Arts Centre.