GEOFF DYER Pieman River Series c 1999 oil on canvas 83.5 x 176 cm
This large oil by Geoff Dyer (1947-2020) depicts his deep fascination with the rugged West Coast of Tasmania. The Pieman River heads is captured in this vibrant coastal view, the roughness of the rocks carved out in thick impasto balanced by the relative calm of the sea and sky. This work has been held in a single collection in Melbourne for the past 20 plus years. The owner was a friend of Geoff’s and as such had guidance from the artist in making his selection. The Pieman River and Franklin River Pond were purchased directly from the artist. The image below shows Dyer at his friend’s St. Kilda house soon after they had acquired the painting.
Geoff Dyer 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)
Pieman River Series c 1999
Oil on canvas
83.5 x 176 cm
Signed lower right
[framed]
POA
PROVENANCE:
Purchased from the artist
Private Collection Melbourne
