Overview: Thirty-five years with Despard Gallery
5 – 29 March 2025
Despard Gallery is proud to present special survey exhibition featuring the distinctive artworks of established Tasmanian artist Dale Richards.
This solo exhibition marks thirty-five years of Richards being represented by Despard Gallery and brings together a curated selection of artworks that showcases examples of his most iconic subjects and the evolution of his practice. Richards first introduced himself to Despard Gallery in 1992 after a short visit to Hobart, making a strong first impression after leaving some photos of his work, as well as leaving with a beer, which he had helped himself from the gallery fridge. It was not long after that Richards held his first solo exhibition with Despard, marking the beginning of a lasting creative partnership. This includes seventeen solo and joint exhibitions, in addition to presenting Richards’ work fifteen times at various art fairs in the USA, Sydney and Melbourne. As such, it is easy to appreciate the lasting impressions that Richards’ work has made to audiences, both at home and overseas. The broad appeal and absorbing nature of his work is also reflected in the countless number of acquisitions into both private and public collections, such as the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, University of Tasmania and Art Bank.
Throughout his career, Richards has adopted numerous central themes, regularly revisited through multiple creative iterations. Some of the more recognisable subjects include windswept coastlines, wooden boats and circus folk, which of course includes the theatrics of Punch and Judy entertaining crowds from their colourful tent. With works that seamlessly shifts from fanciful to edgy, Richards’ work is often described as surreal, combining an anxious assortment of symbols to visually describe enigmatic psychological states and unconscious thought. Although at first glance Richards’ work may appear extroverted in nature, on closer inspection it reveals a considered and more purposeful investigation, one that is deeply reflective and in fact, stems from reclusiveness. As such, the reoccurring figures and symbols can be seen as a broader cultural analogy for tackling personal hardships, the turmoil of social shortcomings and being at the mercy of uncontrollable forces.
Click here to read a review of the exhibition by Andrew Harper, Tas Weekend (15 March 2025)
Click here to register your interest for Dale Richards.
