Birds regularly appear in Brett Whiteley’s paintings – QAGOMA Blog

Throughout his career Australian artist Brett Whiteley (7 April 1939–1992) worked prolifically, producing drawings, ceramics, paintings and sculptures intimately connected to his turbulent and creative life. In 1991 he was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia at the height of his artistic career.

Birds regularly appear in Whiteley’s paintings. As a child he was a frequent visitor to Sydney’s Taronga Park Zoo and developed a lifelong love of animals and the natural world. Whiteley believed that birds symbolised all that was hopeful and poetic in a corrupt world — a symbol reinforced by his romantic choice of title for this painting. White dove feeling the universe 1985–92 (illustrated) is a lyrical depiction of serenity.

Displaying Whiteley’s skill in handling a paintbrush and creating subtle variations in line, this work speaks to his long-standing interest in Japanese calligraphy and Japanese ideas about the harmony in nature. The white dove, which has held significance in various cultures over centuries, is today recognised as an enduring symbol of peace.

Brett Whiteley ‘White dove feeling the universe’ 1985–92

Brett Whiteley, Australia 1939–1992 / White dove feeling the universe 1985–92 / Oil on plywood / 80.5 x 76.8cm / Gift of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Foundation for the Arts through the QAG Foundation 2012. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Wendy Whiteley

Delve deeper into the Collection

Brett Whiteley, Australia 1939–1992 / Kookaburra 1983 / Screenprint with offset lithography on paper / 84.4 x 65cm (comp.) / Gift of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Foundation for the Arts through the QAGOMA Foundation 2013. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Wendy Whiteley/Copyright Agency
Brett Whiteley, Australia 1939–1992 / Startled owl 1984 / Sugar-lift aquatint on paper / 50 x 49cm (comp.) / Gift of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Foundation for the Arts through the QAGOMA Foundation 2013. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Wendy Whiteley/Copyright Agency

White dove feeling the universe is on display within the Queensland Art Gallery’s Australian Art Collection, Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Galleries (10-13).

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