From afar, they are familiar subjects; flowers in a tight composition, translucent grapes, an inquiring snail.

But up close, multiple layers of transparent paint and a fascinating combination of large brushstrokes and expressive splashes transport the viewer to another world.

Maguire’s work is held in Australia’s major public collections, dozens of corporate and private collections and he has exhibited in over 80 solo shows around the world from France, Germany and the UK to New York and China and right across Australia including a knockout survey show at Newcastle Art Gallery in 2017. His practice also crosses printmaking, light box works and film which were included in that exhibition.

Travel has also been an essential part of his life as an artist and he has spent a large part of his adult years in Europe, especially the UK and France. He and his wife, artist Adrienne Gaha, now live and work between Australia and France.

In his exhibition ‘Small Worlds’ at Martin Browne Contemporary in Sydney, he revisits his earlier interest in 17th century Dutch still life subject matter but with a different approach. Created over the period of the recent Australian bushfires and the onset of coronavirus, the work took on an unexpected significance for the artist which he relates in this interview.

We talk about his time studying in Europe, his early work, printmaking, his colour separation process and lots more.

To hear the podcast interview press ‘play’ beneath the above photo or listen however you get your podcasts.

Scroll down to see a YouTube video of Tim Maguire talking with Maria Stoljar about his exhibition ‘Small Worlds’ which was held in June 2020 at Martin Browne Contemporary in Sydney.

‘Small Worlds’ at Martin Browne Contemporary, current until 21 June 2020.