Geoff Dyer (1947-2020) had a unique capacity to evoke light through paint, capturing a sense of atmosphere and charging each work with an unmistakable strength and intensity. Renowned for his large robust oils, Dyer regularly returned to specific locations including wild coastline of Ocean Beach, the distinctive view of the Freycinet peninsular from Dolphin Sands, as well as dense atmosphere and tannin stained water of Cockle Creek. This major work captures heavy rains swooping in from the west and the quickly shifting atmosphere and weather patters around the rouged west coast during Spring. A rich colour palette of reds, oranges and purples captures a transition of light, as day turns to dusk, simultaneously revealing the raw force behind the landscape. Dyer has painted an impasto textured surface across the canvas, using warm reds and violet tones to capture the rain and sky, which collides with the deep purples of the hills. Dyer painted the west coast of Tasmania for over 40 years, returning often to capture the unpredictable weather and raw power of the landscape.
This major oil is signed lower right and has been held in a private collection Sydney.
Geoff Dyer (1947-2020) had a highly celebrated professional career spanning over fifty years, with countless solo exhibition nationally, as well as exhibitions in Singapore, Guangdong and New York. His work is held in numerous important collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Artbank, the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Dyer was hung in the New South Wales Art Gallery over twenty times as a finalist in the Archibald prize (1993, 1996, 1999 -2004, 2006 and 2011), Wynne Prize (1977, 1988–1993, 1998, 2004) and Sulman Prize (1997, 2006). Dyer became an Archibald finalist for the first time in 1993 with a portrait of environmentalist and Federal Green’s leader, Bob Brown. His last portrait, included a portrait of David Walsh, founder of MONA. Most notably, Dyer won the Archibald Prize in 2003 with a portrait of writer, conservationist and friend, Richard Flanagan.
GEOFF DYER (1947-2020)
Spring Rain – West Coast c2010
Oil on linen
122 x 215 cm
Signed lower right
POA
PROVENANCE:
Private Collection Sydney
