Arid Arcadia Art of the Flinders Ranges

Book First edition hardcover in illustrated boards without dust jacket as issued. 207 pp. Illustrations, bibliography, index. Small bump to foredge of rear board otherwise fin [more]

Book First edition hardcover in illustrated boards without dust jacket as issued. 207 pp. Illustrations, bibliography, index. Small bump to foredge of rear board otherwise fine. Near Fine.[less]

4to 0730830217 as new copy, no marks, accompanied exhibit of the same name at Art Gallery of South Australia, 30 August-3 November 2002, from the curator "The magnificent lan [more]

4to 0730830217 as new copy, no marks, accompanied exhibit of the same name at Art Gallery of South Australia, 30 August-3 November 2002, from the curator "The magnificent landscapes of the Flinders Ranges are well known to most South Australians and increasingly to national and international visitors. This distinct region has inspired a remarkable diversity of works of art which continue to influence our perception and love of this land. The oldest surviving art forms are the rock engravings and paintings found throughout the Flinders Ranges, produced over many thousands of years by the Aboriginal inhabitants to record their stories and traditions. Since the earliest settlement, colonial artists have travelled to this remote region-firstly as recorders, such as the surveyor E.C. Frome, and S.T. Gill who accompanied the ill-fated Horrocks expedition in 1846. By the beginning of the twentieth century the area was beginning to be viewed as an, albeit rugged, holiday destination, as seen in the exquisite photographs taken by H.H. Tilbrook. But it is undoubtedly South Australia's most famous artist, Hans Heysen, who brought this region to the attention of the Australian public. His inspiring panoramas of the drought-ravaged landscape, the sweeping hills, the ancient river red gums captured the imagination of thousands. As this area became better known and increasingly accessible, more artists made the journey to see these spectacular landscapes including Horace Trenerry, Harold Cazneaux, Jeffrey Smart, James Cant, Barrie Goddard and German artist Nikolaus Lang. Contemporary artists who live in the region include Antony Hamilton and Aboriginal artists Regina McKenzie and Sam Lester, while Sally Smart's childhood in Quorn re-emerges in her art installations. "[less]