GEORGE BALDESSIN
C O N TAC T: K I M B LU N T
Public Program Coordinator
Mailtand Regional Art Gallery PO Box 220 Maitland NSW 2320
Phone : (02) 49349795 (gallery) | Fax: (02) 4933 1657
Email: [email protected]
A MAITLAND REGIONAL
ART GALLERY TOURING
EXHIBITION
BY
TESS
CURATED
BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN (cover) : Personage with striped dress II, (detail) 1968, etching and aquatint, edition ED/25, 57.5 x 50.5 cm
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 2
GEORGE BALDESSIN
Expression of interest form
EXHIBITION AVAILABLE: 2012 - 2015
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C O N TAC T: K I M B LU N T
Public Program Coordinator
Mailtand Regional Art Gallery PO Box 220 Maitland NSW 2320
Phone : (02) 49349795 (gallery) | Fax: (02) 4933 1657
Email: [email protected]
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 3
GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN
Biography
George Baldessin (1939 - 1978) is an important figure in the history of Australian art. He was a huge
influence in printmaking and sculpture in Melbourne and Australia in the 1960’s and 70’s.
His work is represented in all major art galleries and collections around Australia, as well as the MOMA
and the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the British Museum in London. He represented Australia
at the Sao Paolo Biennale along side Imants Tillers in 1975. Perhaps his best known and popular works
are the giant Pears sculpture at the entrance to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
Despite his incredibly short life (he was 39 years old when he died in a car accident in 1978), he left a
huge body of work which continues to impress and astonish with its contemporary feel. The retrospective
exhibition held at the TarraWarra Museum of Art (TWMA) in November 2009 was an eye-opener for
many not familiar with this artist, and it has firmly placed Baldessin as a major force in Australian Art. A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 4
GEORGE BALDESSIN
Exhibition concept / Aim of exhibition The exhibition includes a selection of prints, drawings and sculpture taken from the TWMA
curated exhibition. It comes with a publication, “George Baldessin: Paradox and Persuasion”
by Harriet Edquist, published by Australian Galleries. This magnificently well researched and
illustrated book is available for sale to accompany the exhibition.
The works in this travelling exhibition show the development of Baldessin’s various themes
as well as his very individual style. There are some 60 etchings and drawings and a small
selection of sculpture (transport costs being considered). From his first small etchings of circus performers and Fellini-esque characters, his work
developed in scope and scale, passing through the “Personage” series, “Factory Smoke”,
“Magdalene“and “Emblems” series. We can observe how he combines and re-combines
different elements to make new narratives and conceptual meaning. The pear becomes
the woman, the hat the emblem, and the emblem the woman again. This creative “play” is
indicative of Baldessin’s huge talent and confidence beyond his artistic years. His relentless
pace to progress meant that he left a mature body of work worthy of a
significantly older artist.
Some of these frames are approximately 1.5m as the largest dimension. The exhibition is
impeccably framed and presented to museum standards.
Tess Edwards Baldessin (the artist’s widow and exhibition curator) would be happy to make
herself available (given sufficient notice) for Floortalks and other presentations as required. Travel and accommodation cover would be appreciated.
Postcards and Education kits can also be supplied.
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 5
GEORGE BALDESSIN
Exhibition details
ORGAINISED BY
Maitland Regional Art Gallery
TOURED BY
Maitland Regional Art Gallery
CURATOR
Tess Baldessin
TOUR AVAILABLE
2012 - 2015
RUNNING METRES
Flexible
CATALOGUE
260 page full colour catalogue ‘George Baldessin: Paradox &
Persuasion by Harriet Edquist’ will accompany the exhibition
SUPPORT MATERIAL
Postcards and an Education kit
PACKAGING
2D work will be enclosed in a bubble wrap envelope, sculpture if
required will be crated.
INSTALLATION
The exhibition can be hung in 2-3 days with assistants
LABELING
All labeling will be provided.
COST
Cost of transport shared by exhibiting galleries plus $1000 fee
INSURANCE
Included in fee
C O N TAC T: K I M B LU N T > Public Program Coordinator
Mailtand Regional Art Gallery PO Box 220 Maitland NSW 2320 Phone : (02) 49349795 (direct)
Fax: (02) 4933 1657 | Email: [email protected]
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 6
GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN : Personage with striped dress II, 1968, etching and aquatint, edition ED/25, 57.5 x 50.5 cm
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 7
GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN : Untitled figure, 1973, etching and aquatint, edition EE2/10, 22 x 17 cm
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 8
GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN : Performers with bicycles, 1964, etching and aquatint, edition EE1/10, 17 x 25 cm
A MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY TOURING E X H I B I T I O N C U R AT E D BY TESS BALDESSIN : 9
GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN : Untitled (emblems), 1977, charcoal, conté and ink on paper, 119.5 x 79.5 cm
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GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN [top] : The tunnel (2nd state), 1966, etching and aquatint, edition EEP 1/2, 19.5 x 51 cm
GEORGE BALDESSIN [lower] : Dreams of a kitchen maid, 1966, etching, aquatint and colour stencil, edition UM1/10, 30 x 50 cm
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GEORGE BALDESSIN
GEORGE BALDESSIN : Dancers, 1963, etching and aquatint, edition EEP1/2, 26.5 x 18.5 cm
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