Artist David Fairbairn is drawn to print

18 April 2017

Archibald finalist showcases dynamic drawings and prints

Tuesday, 18 April 2017

The Tweed Regional Gallery is proud to present the exhibition David Fairbairn: Drawn to Print from Friday 21 April to Sunday 18 June 2017. This dynamic exhibition of drawings and prints, by the renowned Australian portraitist David Fairbairn, showcases drawings from the period 2010 – 2016 and etchings of the same sitters created from 2015 – 2017.

Although Fairbairn is well known for his large, colourful mixed media drawings, in 2015 he made the decision to work almost exclusively on large scale etchings.

Fairbairn says, “It is important to me that these new etchings compliment and extend my previous explorations in drawing. Now working predominantly in black and white, without the added complexities of colour, I am able to reinforce the formal and abstract structures in the depiction of the sitter, whilst still emphasising the emotional and psychological content of the work.”

Informed by the traditional processes of portraiture, Fairbairn works directly from a model in his studio, often for up to 16 months at a time. The decision to work directly with a sitter is fundamental to his art making practice; the ritual of sharing the studio with his sitters is a direct catalyst for the highly dynamic and visceral works that result.

He says, “My portraits represent the transience of life itself… the passing of time both in life and in the studio. Each work represents a period of time that has passed during the sitting; you cannot capture that in a photograph.”

Gallery Director, Susi Muddiman says, “I am certain that this display will enthral gallery visitors. The dynamic scale, expressive line and individual detail in Fairbairn’s drawn and printed portraits, is a spectacular example of the power of portraiture.”

David Fairbairn has received many awards and prizes including the Dobell Drawing Prize from the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 1999, the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2002, and more recently the Mosman Art Prize in 2012. He has held over 30 solo shows since 1981, and is represented in numerous public and private collections including the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Fairbairn has been a finalist in both the Archibald Prize and Dobell Drawing Prize on many occasions. David Fairbairn is represented by Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney and Port Jackson Press Print Gallery, Melbourne.

All are warmly invited to attend the exhibition opening celebrations on Friday 21 April 2017. At 5.15pm David Fairbairn will present an Exhibition Preview floor talk, followed by refreshments.

At 6.00pm (for 6.30pm) the artist will deliver an opening address.