Unfinished Business: The Art of Gordon Bennett will celebrate the huge contribution Gordon Bennett (1955–2014) made on the homegrown and international art community. Born in Queensland, Gordon called the river city home for most of his life. It is here where he grew into an artist, and developed a colourful collection of pieces that received worldwide acclaim. The first large-scale exhibition of his work since 2007, the exhibition will give a new insight into Gordon’s dazzling designs, his fascination with pop culture, his practise and much more.
The exhibition will showcase over 200 of Gordon’s works including crowd favourites and many pieces that have yet to be exhibited in a gallery. Visitors will get to lay their eyes on everything from huge installations and sculptures to paintings, drawings, videos and ceramics. Highlights of the exhibition include Bennett’s early work Diptych 1987, the installation Psycho(d)rama 1990, the welt and mirror series, and paintings and drawings driven by Gordon’s love for artist and iconic cultural figure, Jean-Michel Basquiat. The exhibition will also be accompanied by a 200-page publication available at the QAGOMA Store as well as a virtual lecture on the artist’s work, which avid learners can join in from 11:00 am on Tuesday November 17.
Unfinished Business: The Art of Gordon Bennett will open at GOMA on Saturday November 7. To learn more, head here.
Image one: Gordon Bennett Australia 1955-2014. Notes to Basquiat (Death of Irony) 2002. Synthetic polymer paint on linen / 152 x 304cm. © The Estate of Gordon Bennett. Collection: The Estate of Gordon Bennett.
Image two: Gordon BennettAustralia 1955-2014. Notes to Basquiat (Jackson Pollock and His Other) 2001. Synthetic polymer paint on linen / 2 panels: 152 x 152 cm each, 152 x 304 cm (overall). © The Estate of Gordon Bennett. Private Collection, Adelaide.
Image three: Gordon Bennett Australia 1955-2014. Haptic Painting (Explorer: The Inland Sea) 1993. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas / 177 x 265cm. © The Estate of Gordon Bennett. Collection: Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Image four: Gordon Bennett Australia 1955-2014. Home Decor (Algebra) Ocean 1998. Synthetic polymer paint on linen / Two parts: 182 x 182cm (each); 182.5 x 365cm (overall). © The Estate of Gordon BennettGift of The Hon. Paul Guest OAM QC under the Cultural Gifts Program 2018. Collection: Bendigo Art Gallery.