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. Dyer’s love of the landscape was fostered through the use of watercolour and gouache, utilising the freedom of working on paper to paint plein air. Although more nationally renowned for his large robust oils, Dyer regularly returned to watercolour and gouache, enjoying its freedom and immediacy.
A watercolour of Rock Island, this piece is presented in its original frame. The work has a light colour palette and captures Dyer’s iconic waterline where the native forrest meets the river. Dyer has captured the reflecting light in the water, which contrasts against the more textures rock surface. This work has been held in a private collection Melbourne and is presented in its original frame. The work is signed lower right.
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
Rock Island c1995
watercolour on paper
74 x 55 cm
Signed lower right
[original frame]
$3,750.00
PROVENANCE: Private Collection Melbourne