Deborah Halpern – Creatures of Love by Arthouse Gallery

DEBORAH HALPERN OAM

Deborah Halpern is a celebrated Australian multi-disciplinary artist known for her vibrantly coloured and whimsical mosaic sculptures.

In 2021, Halpern was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her significant contribution to the arts. Born in Melbourne in 1957, Halpern has had a lifelong connection to the city, with many of her impressive public sculptures weaved into the fabric and spirit of the state. Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria when she was just twenty eight years old, her sculpture Angel stood at the entrance to the prestigious museum for seventeen years, while the brilliant Ophelia found its home at Southgate and was chosen as the ‘Face of Melbourne’.

Influenced by Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Niki de Saint Phalle and Antoni Gaudí, her abstracted sculptures are a cast of creatures and characters who vibrantly come to life through Halpern’s intricately cut glass pieces layered over fibreglass.

Halpern’s work is held in several important collections in Australia and overseas, including Osaka Sculpture Park, Japan, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Queensland Art Gallery, Artbank, Australian National University, Melbourne University, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Geelong Gallery, and Shepparton Art Museum.

1. Family glass, steel, fibreglass and aluminium

345 x 220 x 88 cm

$250,000

In a world of cultural schism, universal social angst, and worse, some contemporary artists address this plethora of unhappiness with explicit and sensational imagery. Imagery, whether digital or analog, of a controversial and confronting nature that can easily embroil the artist—along with their host institution—in a further world of critical turmoil, not to mention public and political outrage.

This may seem like a strange way to begin a short commentary on the current exhibition of works on paper and mostly small-scale sculpture by Deborah Halpern—works in both mediums that are notable for exuberant gesture, whimsical motifs and, in the case of the sculpture at least, vibrant colours and glossy surfaces: attributes that coalesce into the artist’s signature style of, shall we say, lyrical surrealism. On the whole, formal attributes that denote and evoke joyfulness. So where is the connection, if there is one, to that grim vein of activist practice cited above?

After all, Halpern is best known for her monumental works in the public domain—specifically her famous Angel and Ophelia landmarks in Melbourne—works that are frequently described as ‘muchloved’ icons of the city in which they are found. And of course they are just that. But there is much more to Halpern’s practice than a spirited rehearsal on different scales and in different media, of her repertoire of quirky, cubistic physiognomies, jaunty birds, inquisitive fish, and the familiar wide-eyed heads of female subjects whose features are emphasised, as in all her work, by solid black outlines that reflect the artist’s formal debt to the monumental Nana statues of one of her acknowledged artistic heroes: the French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle.

Consider works in the current exhibition such as Bodrig the Powerful Owl , Ruby , Flying Fish , Budgie , or the larger-scale centrepiece of the group, Family —with its floating fish spirit creature blowing a silver trumpet over the heads of the celestial couple posed with their blueeyed dog—and it’s fair to say these are categorically upbeat works of art. The artist affirms as much when she says that ‘the work I’m doing (now) is ferociously optimistic’, albeit that her motivation for this work is a specific and deliberate response ‘to the state of the world at the moment’; a response conceived ‘to bring joy, peace, irreverence, connection ... (and thus) counterbalance the madness of the planet’. Halpern asserts that she is ‘not an artist who makes political work’, but it could be said that her sculpture and drawings, as we see in this exhibition, do indeed represent a serious, significant and effective engagement with (or antidote to) the very same plethora of unhappiness mentioned above. Politically-inflected art after all, perhaps, in which political or social engagement assumes an oblique and highly subjective dimension. Whimsical and delightful as Halpern’s imagery may be, her art is neither ‘lightweight’ nor is it oblivious to the existential threats of our time. Rather, it is an enrichment to our lives, and a sort of zany ode to peace.

Geoffrey Edwards

Curatorial Adviser, Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park; former Director, Geelong Gallery; former Senior Curator of Sculpture, NGV

2. Bodrig the Powerful Owl glass, steel and fibreglass

116 x 100 x 60 cm

$75,000

3. Ruby glass, steel and fibreglass

84 x 54 x 50 cm

$28,000

4. Mr Gorgeous glass, steel and fibreglass

63 x 82 x 41 cm

$45,000

5. Dreaming Asleep ink on paper

93 x 75 cm (framed)

$4,500

$4,500

8. Voyage ink on paper

x 75 cm (framed)

6. Curly Hair ink on paper

x 75 cm (framed)

7. Dog Standing on Fish ink on paper

93 x 75 cm (framed)

9. Girl with Protective Leaf ink on paper

93 x 75 cm (framed)

$4,500

10. Cat Flower with Paws, Yellow Flower, Leaf glass, steel and fibreglass

133 x 53 x 43 cm

$55,000

11. Orange Bird on Blue Flower glass, steel and fibreglass

96 x 50 x 27 cm

$18,000

12. Budgie glass, steel and fibreglass

96 x 50 x 80 cm

$38,000

13. Funky Person glass, steel and fibreglass

137 x 40 x 55 cm

$40,000

14. Buffalo glass, steel and fibreglass

70 x 75 x 20 cm

$12,000

Installation view at Pt. Leo Estate, Mornington Peninsula

Photographed by David Hannah

15. Portal to Another Time and Place, 2006

ceramic tiles, steel, fibreglass

500 x 500 x 250 cm

16. Listening ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

17. Dreaming ink on paper

75 x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

18. Sleeping Friends ink on paper

75 x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

19. Girl with Hand on Forehead ink on paper

75 x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

20. Red Hair, Green Eyes

glass, steel and fibreglass

37 x 15 x 66 cm

$7,500

21. Flying Fish glass, steel and fibreglass

55 x 56 x 30 cm

$11,000

22. Stripey Pants

glass, steel and fibreglass

106 x 56 x 45 cm

$45,000

23. Creature with Tail glass, steel and fibreglass

71 x 35 x 25 cm

$12,000

24. Fleur glass, steel and fibreglass

70 x 30 x 56 cm

$16,000

25. Protective Leaf glass, steel and fibreglass

165 x 26 x 10 cm

$25,000

26. Pointy Nose glass, steel and fibreglass

66 x 18 x 55 cm

$11,000

27. Pink Creature with Paws glass, steel and fibreglass

83 x 34 x 27 cm

$28,000 •

28. Creature with Green Eyes and Tail glass, steel and fibreglass

59 x 39 x 14 cm

$9,800

29. Winged Victory glass, steel, fibreglass and aluminium

127 x 56 x 110 cm

$55,000

30. Creature with Circular Flower glass, steel and fibreglass

59 x 36 x 17 cm

$9,800

31. Person with Green Eyes glass, steel and fibreglass

55 x 37 x 12 cm

$9,800

ceramic tiles, steel and fibreglass

400 x 100 x 200 cm

Installation view at Southgate, Melbourne

32. Ophelia, 1992

33. Peaceful Creature glass, steel and fibreglass

120 x 45 x 37 cm

$34,000

34. Monsieur Moustache glass, steel and fibreglass

67 x 30 x 56 cm

$18,000

35. Areoplane Jelly glass, steel and fibreglass

75 x 61 x 76 cm

$20,000

36. Dancing Rabbit ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

37. Fish and Blue Boat ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

38. Looking Backwards ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

39. Girl, Snake, Dog, Flowers ink on paper

75 x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

Installation view at National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

40. Angel, 1988

ceramic tiles, steel, concrete

924.5 x 992.5 x 351.5 cm

41. Cat Flower, Sleeping Bud, Looking Leaf glass, steel and fibreglass

145 x 73 x 55 cm

$60,000

42. Garden Lovers glass, steel and fibreglass

155 x 80 x 42 cm

$45,000

650 x 200 x 200 cm

Installation

43. The Face, 2019

glass, stainless steel and fibreglass

view of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi

44. Fish Pot glazed earthenware

38.5 x 31.5 x 32 cm

$9,800

45. Pink Cheeks with Flower in Hair glass, steel and fibreglass

58 x 31 x 28 cm

$11,000

46. Flying Fish (Gold Fish) glass, steel and fibreglass

62 x 45 x 33 cm

$9,800 •

47. Groovy Person glass, steel and fibreglass

150 x 37 x 51 cm

$45,000

48. Drifting ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

49. The Kiss ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

50. Looking at Flower ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

51. Girl ink on paper

x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

52. Dog with Green Eyes ink on paper

55.7 x 55.5 cm (framed)

$2,200

53. Purple Fish ink on paper

55.7 x 55.5 cm (framed)

$2,200

$4,500

56. Watching ink on paper

x 75 cm (framed)

54. Dreaming Awake ink on paper

x 75 cm (framed)

55. Two Friends ink on paper

x 75 cm (framed)

57. Alert ink on paper

x 75 cm (framed)

$4,500

58. Dog Pot glazed earthenware

42.5 x 34.5 x 35.5 cm

$9,800

59. Face Pot glazed earthenware

36.5 x 37 x 36 cm

$9,800

60. King Crab ink on paper

55.7 x 55.5 cm (framed)

$2,200

61. Elephant ink on paper

55.7 x 55.5 cm (framed)

$2,200

62. Alice and White Rabbit ink on paper

61 x 90 cm (framed)

$3,500

64. Alice with Purple Flower and Cup of Tea ink on paper

84.5 x 58 cm (framed)

$3,500

63. Cat on Head ink on paper

87.5 x 64 cm (framed)

$3,500

65. Gioia ink on paper

93 x 75 cm (framed)

$4,500

66. Fish Flying Over Cat ink on paper

93 x 75 cm (framed)

$4,500

68. Leaning Girl ink on paper

75 x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

67. Girl with Cat ink on paper

75 x 93 cm (framed)

$4,500

Born 1957, Melbourne, Victoria

EDUCATION

1989 Postgraduate Diploma of Fine Arts, Monash University, Melbourne AWARDS, GRANTS & RESIDENCIES

2025 McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery Maquette: Sculpture Award, McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery, Langwarrin VIC

2021 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

2013 Toyota Community Award, Zoos Victoria & City of Melbourne, Winner

2005 The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award, Highly Commended

1996 ‘Ophelia’, the sculpture at Southgate – chosen to become the new face of Melbourne

1994 Golden Threads Award, Australian Wool Board, Sydney

1993 Sidney Myer, Australia Day Ceramic Award, Shepparton Art Museum

1990 Japan Association for International Garden & Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan

Expo, Gold Prize for ‘Double Figure’

1989 Special Projects Grant, Visual Arts/Craft Board, Australia Council

1988 The Myer Foundation, The Art Foundation, NGV; The Readymix Group

1987 Assistant’s Grant, Craft Board, Australia Council

1985 Crafts Board, Australia Council Grant to work and research in France

1984 Arts and Crafts Society of Victoria’s Fifth Annual Award, Joint Winner Artist in Residence, Narre Warren North Primary, Artists in Schools Program

1982 Artist in Residence, Croydon Community School, Artists in Schools Program

1981 Professional Development Grant, Crafts Board, Australia Council

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025 ‘Love Shack’, Qdos Fine Arts, Lorne, VIC ‘Peace Train’, Gullotti Galleries, Perth, WA

2023 ‘Deborah Halpern’, Qdos Fine Arts, Lorne, VIC

2019 ‘Alice’, Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, VIC

2018 ‘Deborah Halpern at the Dunolly Courthouse’, Dunolly, VIC

2017 ‘Hug a Tree, Kiss a Dog’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney

2016 ‘Playing with Light’, Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne

2015 ‘Strange Creatures From A Phenomenal Planet,’ Anthea Polson Art

‘Through the Forest’, Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne

‘Duck Duck Goose’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney

2014 ‘Ghost Worms and Glass Hearts’, Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne

2013 ‘Creatures from the Studio’, Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne

2012 ‘The Melbourne Art Fair’, Exhibited by Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne

2011 ‘New Works’, Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne ‘New Works’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney

2010 ‘Sydney Beginnings’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney

2009 Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne

2008 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

2007 ‘Weird little things…’, Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

2006 ‘Deborah Halpern: Angel’, Survey Exhibition, Ian Potter Centre, NGV

2004–05 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

2001 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1999–01 Bushlen Mowatt Fine Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada

1999 ‘Art’s Toys’, Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1998 Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT

1997 Despard Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania

1996 ‘Small Works’, Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1995 ‘Sculptures & Works on Paper’, Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1991–92 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1989 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

Irving Sculpture Gallery, Sydney

Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1985 Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne

1983 Rosies Gallery, Albert Park, Victoria

1981 Blackwood Street Gallery, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne, with assistance from Crafts Board, Australia Council

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025 ‘30 Years of Arthouse Gallery’, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney, NSW

2012 ‘Jing’an Int’l Sculpture Project’, Shanghai, China

2008 ‘The Dream Festival’, Melbourne, VIC

‘The Gathering’, Wangaratta Exhibitions Gallery, Wangaratta

2005 ‘Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award’, Werribee, VIC

2002 ‘Melbourne Art Fair’, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

1996–97 ‘The National Sculpture Trail’, Victoria University, Footscray, VIC

1996 ‘A Sculpture Walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens’, 150th

1995 ‘Useless Objects & Real Things’, Second National Crafts Conference, Melbourne

‘Casula Anniversary’, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

‘Sculpture 3’, Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria

1995 ‘Selected Recent Purchases for the QUT Art Collection’, Queensland

University of Technology, Brisbane

1994 ‘Colin and Cicely Rigg Craft Award’, NGV, Melbourne

1992–94 ‘Decorated Clay’, Queensland Art Gallery (touring)

‘Dame Edna Regrets She Is Unable to Attend,’ Heide Museum of Modern Art, AETA, Australia Council (touring)

1992 ‘10 Square Works for Wilderness’, The Wilderness Society, Linden

Gallery

‘Melbourne Southgate Art Exhibition’, Victorian Centre

‘Third Australian Contemporary Art Fair’, Melbourne

1990–91 Halpern and Murphy Ceramics Exhibition, Shepparton Art Museum

1990 ‘Affiliations’, Monash University Gallery, VIC

‘Second Australian Contemporary Art Fair’, Melbourne

1988 ‘50 Fine Artists’, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, Showgrounds

‘Melbourne Common Ground’, National Ceramic Conference, Irving

‘Sculpture Gallery’, Sydney Jewish Festival of the Arts, Christine Abrahams Gallery

‘Australian Crafts 1988’, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne

‘The New Generation 1983–1988’, NGA, Canberra

‘The Fringe Furniture Show’, Spoleto Fringe Festival, Melbourne

1987 ‘Australian Crafts 1987’, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne

1986 ‘A First Look’, Philip Morris Arts Grant Purchases 1983–6, NGA, Canberra

1985 ‘Just for Show’, Shepparton Art Museum, Victoria (touring)

1984 ‘Fifth Annual Craft Award Exhibition’, Arts & Crafts Society of Victoria

‘The First Great Annual Ceramic Show’, Art Gallery of Ballarat

‘Second Australian Sculpture Triennial’, National Gallery of Victoria

‘Eight Young Australians’, Craftlink, Melbourne

‘Festival of Jewish Artists’, Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne

1982 ‘Indulgences’, Craft Council’s Centre Gallery, Sydney

‘Mad Hatters’ Tea Party’, The Australian Craftworks, Sydney

1978 ‘Two Person’ with Sylvia Halpern, Potters’ Cottage, Warrandyte

‘Fishers Ghost Prize’, Campbelltown Regional Gallery, NSW COLLECTIONS

Aichi Arts Centre, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Art Gallery of Western Australia

Artbank

Australian National University, Canberra

Art Gallery of Ballarat

Box Hill College of T.A.F.E. Collection

City of Frankston

City of Manningham

City of Melbourne

City of Yarra

Council of Adult Education Collection

Diners Club International

Fintona College

Geelong Gallery

Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne

Melbourne University Collection

Metricon Homes

National Australia Bank

National Gallery of Australia

National Gallery of Victoria

Osaka Sculpture Park, Japan

Palace Museum of Taipei

Pt. Leo Estate

Queensland Art Gallery

Queensland University of Technology

Shepparton Art Museum

Shire of Nillumbik

Swan Hill Regional Gallery

Southgate Collection, Melbourne

University of New South Wales

University of Southern Queensland

Victorian Ceramic Group Collection

Victorian State Craft Collection

Visy Packaging

Numerous Private and Corporate Commissions in Australia & Internationally

Numerous Private and Corporate Collections in Australia & USA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ali Yeldham, William Mansfield, Emily George, Imogen Charge & Harley Lunch – Arthouse Gallery

Artek Halpern Laurence

Geoffrey Edwards – Catalogue Essay

Mia Mala McDonald – Artist Portraits

J K Fasham Fabrication

ISBN 978-0-6452059-6-1

66 McLachlan Avenue

Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011