Angus Fisher

ANGUS FISHER Natural Order 23 March - 18 April 2021

AU S T R A L I A N GA L L E R I E S SYDNEY

Artist’s studio, 2020

AU S T R A L I A N GA L L E R I E S SYDNEY

Invites you to the opening

ANGUS FISHER Natural Order Tuesday 23 March 2021 6pm - 8pm 15 Roylston Street Paddington NSW 2021 Current until Sunday 18 April 2021 Open 7 days 10am to 6pm T 02 9360 5177 sydney@australiangalleries.com.au australiangalleries.com.au

Front cover: The kestrel (detail) 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 75 x 55 cm

Artist at Doha Falconry Market, Qatar, 2019

Angus Fisher’s recent work further investigates ideas of how the ‘natural’ world exists in human imagination and our ever-growing efforts to contain and control it. Much of the work was conceived while he completed a residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris throughout early 2019, as well as work made later back in his studio in Australia. Fisher’s work poignantly reflects upon European traditions of collecting, collating and subjugating nature, observed throughout his visits to many grand museums of Natural History and various European gardens that continue long-held traditions of taming and placating the ‘natural’ world. Other work in this exhibition investigates Australian subject matter and the intersection of the ‘natural’ and ‘unnatural’ worlds.

The large drawings in the Unnatural Histories series illustrate particular historical and contemporary accounts of people’s interactions with nature. The sequence of poetic scenes are highly researched and imaginatively displayed in an aim to form a series of allegories for our often tragic and misguided entanglements with the ‘natural’ world.

Fisher has long been interested in the ancient art of falconry, and his series of drawings of this subject are informed by his experiences in France and Qatar throughout 2019.

“I’m particularly fascinated in the accompanying pageantry and the paraphernalia that has developed in different, independent cultures around the handling and training of the birds. The birds exist in a symbiotic relationship with their handlers in a state of semi-freedom. The falconers utilise the bird’s natural instincts but shelter them from the wider ‘natural’ world. The ‘tack’ hoods, gloves, jesses etc. exist as a potent reflection of this relationship.”

Angus Fisher’s intricately detailed and vibrant drawings are testament to the breadth of the artist’s reverence for his subject matter and his deft technical skill across a variety of media and techniques.

Paradise 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 55 x 75 cm

Marajó 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 55 x 75 cm

Genda 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 55 x 75cm

Left: Winter palm #2 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm Right: Winter palm #3 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm

Left: Golden eagle portrait 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm Right: Golden eagle hood 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm

Left: Gyrfalcon portrait 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm Right: Gyrfalcon hood 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm

Left: Peregrine falcon portrait 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm Right: Peregrine falcon hood 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm

Left: Common kestrel portrait 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm Right: Common kestrel hood 2019 ink pen and watercolour on paper 21 x 15 cm

Flamants du monde 2021 ink pen and watercolour on paper 45 x 100 cm

Left: Carrion #2 2021 ink pen and watercolour on paper 75 x 55 cm Right: Carrion #3 2021 ink pen and watercolour on paper 75 x 55 cm

Le tigre des Tasmanie 2020 ink pen and watercolour on paper 72 x 104 cm

Fish trap #1 2020 charcoal on paper 76 x 56 cm

Fish trap #2 2020 charcoal on paper 76 x 56 cm

ANGUS FISHER

Artist in his studio, 2021

AU S T R A L I A N GA L L E R I E S MELBOURNE: Derby Street 03 9417 4303 Stock Rooms 03 9417 2422 SYDNEY: Roylston Street 02 9360 5177 enquiries@australiangalleries.com.au australiangalleries.com.au Design and Production by Publishing