Recent works by Leonard Brown, Helen Lillecrap-Fuller, Madonna Staunton, June Tupicoff
One of Peter Cripp's legacies as Director of the Institute of Modern Art was to divide Brisbane-based art into two broad categories, "hot" and "cool". I don't know whether Stephen Rainbird had those categories in mind when he assembled these works; the result was one of the best exhibitions I have seen in Brisbane in a long time.
Let me confess by bias right from the outset. I was asked to open the exhibition, and my reason for accepting was a genuine affection and respect for the artists and curator whom have known and/or been associated with through the Art Department at Brisbane C.A.E.
The choice of artists was felicitous, their work was. Exhibited to best advantage and in a supportive way. On previous occasions of large survey shows. Where Staunton, Lillecrap and Tupicoff were Included, their work tended to be overpowered or simply badly displayed. The added bonus of this exhibition was the inclusion of Leonard Brown who has not had any exposure in Brisbane. The theme of the exhibition was well articulated; at the same time the artists had a sufficient body of work and space to make their presence felt.
Terry Smith (Times on Sunday, 28 June 1987) in his review of recent exhibitions of abstract art in Sydney refers to "an informal - yet still formal 1st academy (which) sits pat on many key art world positions, especially in the art schools, [which] projects a dreamy model of the ideal work of art: the painting whose achievement defines itself, the sculpture with its own undeniable authority". The works in this exhibition don't fall into that trap. Quite the contrary, I find that, albeit obliquely, they speak