BIBBENLUKE artist, Lucy Culliton is enjoying a wave of adulation, with not one but two critically acclaimed exhibitions running concurrently in Sydney, and yet another glowing feature article about her in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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A major survey exhibition entitled “Lucy Culliton: The Eye of the Beholder” opened at the Mosman Art Gallery last month and runs until November 30.
It is the largest exhibition ever mounted by the gallery, exhibiting over three floors, and encompassing Culliton’s entire painting career over the past 18 years.
More than 100 works have been loaned for the show, some of them from Lucy’s family, and many from collectors in Sydney and elsewhere, including the local Bombala district.
The Mosman Gallery has particular significance for Lucy; a major boost to her career was winning the coveted Mosman Art Prize in 2000.
With Hilda Rix Nicholas’s artworks also having been exhibited at Mosman where she lived and painted, the gallery has a close connection with the Monaro region.
Running concurrently with “The Eye of the Beholder” is Lucy’s show at the Hughes Gallery in Surry Hills, “Weeds of the Monaro”.
These paintings are mainly still life oils of flowering plants which, while not beloved by farmers, certainly have a special beauty in a Lucy Culliton painting.
Scotch thistles, Cotoneaster and Deadly Nightshade are among the weeds that feature in the show, painted with Lucy’s characteristic colour and detail.
Other subjects feature Monaro landscapes at the famous old Cambalong homestead and the Bukalong railway siding.
Locals may also recognise a tribute to Hilda Rix Nicholas; close-up portraits of dolls hand sewn by Hilda in the 1950s.
Meanwhile three new books on Lucy’s art are currently available. The Hughes Gallery has released a glossy hardback coffee table book entitled “Lucy Culliton: A Life of …”, as well as the catalogue publication accompanying the “Weeds of the Monaro” show.
The Mosman Gallery has published a 90 page book full of glorious colour reproductions of her life’s work so far.
Sydney Morning Herald Art critic, John McDonald waxed lyrical about Culliton’s fresh vision in a two-page spread last week.
“No Australian artist,” he says “better captures this thrill of perpetual discovery than Lucy Culliton... (she) has an energy and enthusiasm that puts most teenagers to shame”.
McDonald draws comparison between Culliton and Margaret Preston. Other critics have noted similarities with the work of Margaret Olley.
The opening at the Mosman Gallery attracted more than 400 souls, including an orphan wallaby snuggled in a quilted bag (adopted by Lucy’s sister, Anna’s family.)
The exhibition is accompanied by a range of events including masterclasses where aspiring artists can learn from Culliton, and talks by the exhibition’s curator, Katrina Cashman.
The show surrounds you with all the things that Lucy loves to paint, ponies, chooks, landscapes, cacti, her Bibbenluke garden, and of course the Royal Show knitted dolls and homemade cakes.
Her hugely successful series of colourful flowers in old glass bottles are there, her collections of spark plugs and light bulbs, and last but not least her portrait (with a bowl of gelati) of gallery owner Ray Hughes, which was short listed in the Archibald Prize.
Mosman city councillor Peter White, who opened the exhibition, said he feels he speaks for many of Lucy’s admirers when he quotes US actor Desi Arnaz, husband of comedienne Lucille Ball, in saying “I love Lucy!”.
