REVIEW. Australia’s grand dame of contemporary art, a unique deep & touching artist casting universal ideas into Australian country-tinged romanticism. Truly unique.

A well-curated exhibition of exemplary modern art. ***** (5 stars)

Rosalie Gascoigne Sweet Lovers

WHERE. National Gallery of Victoria. Ian Potter Centre, Fed Sq., Melbourne.

The Rauschenberg of Australia, Rosalie Gascoigne assembled her collages with care & poetic wit.

Juxtaposed road signs are her best known works perhaps, but there are symbolic collages, corrugated iron, sculptural objects & wooden arrangements as well.

Successful internationally in capturing the poetry of Australia scenes, this doyenne of Canberra art, carefully weaves her narrative.

The narrative tells tru-isms that are timeless & global, whilst using the accoutrements of the corner shop cordial crates, twigs, yellow & black signs and other fragments seemingly from the Country-Womens Association at the Royal Easter Show.

Her careful magpie-collecting of colours & objects captures the Australian landscape & her witty arrangments some of the diaspora. There is a hint of Australia’s engagement with Asia in the 80s, as well as the Canberra city & nearby country, as well.

For me it reminded me of Wyong trains, of lollies sneaked & gorged from corner shops with a stray 5c piece, of cordials, of Tamworth and the roads & stops between Sydney & Newcastle.

Of a happier, friendlier, warmer Australia where your neighbour had a kind word, not a comment on stock prices. Of back fences & community stores.

Maybe this is what Rosalie had in mind when she entered her art late in life, at the age of 57. Proof that for a talented artist it is never too late.

She’s no longer with us, but this critically important, globally-relevant Australian artist lives through her stories. Go read her stories at Fed Square’s Ian Potter Centre in Melbourne until 15 March 2009.

My recommendation – Don’t miss it if you are in or coming to Melbourne.