Interview - Guy Warren, Australia’s oldest working and exhibiting artist is 99.9 years young and is still proving a force to be reckoned with

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Show preview: Guy Warren

and experimentation at 100

Guy Warren is an artist that needs no introduction. A long-time resident of Greenwich, he is at once a local and national art treasure. He was also one of the early trustees of Centrehouse before the association’s incorporation, the very organisation that manages Gallery Lane Cove.

With a remarkable artistic career that spans some eight decades, he has garnered awards ranging from the AGNSW Trustees’ Watercolour Award (Wynne Prize Exhibition), the Archibald Prize and the 4th International Triennale of Drawing in Poland in 1988. In fact, his contribution to art was acknowledged by a Medal of the Order of Australia OAM (1999) and an Australia Medal AM (2013).

Having works held in public art collections across Australia is testament to his standing, not to mention international representation in prominent public and corporate collections. No less than six survey exhibitions of Guy’s works were previously presented in NSW and Queensland public institutions. This upcoming seventh is curated to celebrate his artistic excellence and dedication to art, which is amazing in and of itself, but more so considering the volume and quality of work he is still creating at almost 100 years of age. His energy and focus certainly eclipses some younger artists by miles, as with his appetite for experimentation.

Of Man and Nature: The Diverse Journey of Guy Warren is designed to mark his centenary turn in April and serves as an inspiration to all.

In terms of framework, the survey exhibition revisits his creative arc as a painter, from the early days in the 40s through to his hyper-productive period of 2020-early 2021. Thematically, it foregrounds his persistent pursuit of experimentation, evident from his expansive style, which sets him apart from his peers. Indeed, a spirit of adventure underscores his life and work, eschewing conformity and artworld trends.

The content and elements of his paintings are drawn from a vast repository of memories fuelled by his countless life adventures in Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia as well as other travels. Despite resistance to stylistic, process and image repetition, one subject remains an abiding concern throughout, that is, his fascination with the landscape and specifically, nature’s complexity and man’s synergistic relationship to it.

Gallery Lane Cove will host Of Man and Nature: The Diverse Journey of Guy Warren in May to celebrate the artist’s 100th birthday. Here, Manager and Curator Rachael Kiang previews the upcoming, major survey of Guy’s work.

Whilst works reflective of the style of each decade will be on show, the interesting period is between 2020-2021, in his self-proclaimed time of great productivity. Owing in part to COVID restrictions, Guy produced an incredible amount of new work, some of which reflected current situations, such as a watercolour piece of socially-distanced exercising at a local park in the Lane Cove LGA, while others stem from recollections of his past experiences and travels.

One particular new series stands out – five different sized works on the landscape of the Bungle Bungles range in Western Australia, with one painting being quite a departure from his other works in terms of colour. Taken in its entirety, the survey show is an open invitation to be curious – it encourages the viewer to approach his works with a keen observing eye and an open mind.

Of Man and Nature: The Diverse Journey of Guy Warren is one of three exhibitions on view in New South Wales in the same period, each focusing on different aspects of his art. National Art School will launch a drawing exhibition From the Mountain to the Sky: Guy Warren Drawings opening to the public on 17 April. This will be followed by the major survey of Guy’s work at Gallery Lane Cove. Thereafter, yet another exhibition at University of Wollongong opening in the same week will present his works in relation to the Illawara region and the university alongside art he acquired when he was Director of the university’s art collection. In addition, Guy has a current solo show at his representing commercial gallery, King Street Gallery on William, on till 10th April. It is highly recommended to view all exhibitions to gain a deeper understanding of Guy Warren’s artistic practice for what an unusual, marvellous opportunity it is to be able to construct a complete picture of an art legend that Lane Cove can call our own.

Of Man and Nature: The Diverse Journey of Guy Warren opens to the public on April 30 and runs through until May 29. Opening night: April 29. Please visit the website www.gallerylanecove.com.au for more details. A Centenary Survey Exhibition is supported by Lane Cove Council.

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