Ep 76: Tim Storrier

Tim Storrier’s work sweeps you into his imagination: burning ropes in the desert, clothes wrapped around a torso-shaped void, mood-filled skies with clouds that go on forever.

One of Australia’s premier artists, his paintings often take the form of a memento mori – a reminder of our mortality – with detritus strewn across the landscape to remind us of what is left after life has moved on.

He has been painting for over 50 years and in 1968 was the youngest artist ever to win the Sulman prize at 19 years of age. He has since won the Sulman a second time and has been awarded the Archibald Prize, the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and Archibald Packing Room Prize. His work is held in most Australian national and state art institutions and in private collections across the world.

He has exhibited in dozens of solo shows including a stunning survey show in 2011 at S.H.Ervin Gallery, was a trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW for most of the 90s and has been awarded a member of the Order of Australia for service to the arts.

He’s also known for being forthright and at times controversial and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him at his historic home in Bowral in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

We talk about finding one’s voice, his friendships with John Olsen and Brett Whiteley and he talks of the aftermath of Whiteley’s death – he was the person the police called to identify Brett Whiteley’s body –  as well as his views on the Archibald and post modern art (not all positive!).

To hear the podcast interview press play below the above feature photo.

Scroll down for video of Maria Stoljar talking with Storrier in his home and studio.

Above photo of Tim Storrier by Gary Grealy Photography

Upcoming show

Sydney Contemporary (international art fair), Carriageworks, Australian Galleries, 12-15 September, Sydney

Show Notes

Tim Storrier

Tim Storrier at Australian Galleries

Tim Storrier at Philip Bacon Galleries

John Ford

Sir John Sulman Prize

John Olsen

Brett Whiteley

Wendy Whiteley

Peter Kingston

Russell Drysdale

John Constable

John Singer Sargent

Memento Mori

Archibald Prize

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize

Damien Hirst | 10 Questions | TIME (YouTube)

Natasha Bieniek in her studio (Talking with Painters)

Sam Fullbrook

Pablo Picasso

Georges Braque

https://youtu.be/tjTcgSp69AY

Tim Storrier talks with Maria Stoljar – YouTube video

Noon (light line), 2014, acrylic on canvas, 91.5 x 122 cm

‘Night Passage’, 1981, type C photograph on metallic photographic paper, 80 x 122 cm

‘The Empire of the Coals (blue night run)’, 2016, acrylic on canvas, 107 x 244 cm

‘The Great Tumble’, 2016, acrylic on canvas, 183 x 91 cm

‘The Departure Expected (self portrait)’ 2009, acrylic on canvas, 198 x 92 cm

The Histrionic Wayfarer (after Bosch), 2012, acrylic on canvas, 182 x 122 cm Winner Archibald Prize 2012

‘The Arcadian Repose’, 2015-16, acrylic on canvas, 200 x 300 cm Finalist Wynne Prize 2017

‘The Lunar Savant (Portrait of McLean Edwards)’, 2017, acrylic on canvas, 198 x 91 cm Winner Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2018

‘The Water Dance’, 1998, acrylic on canvas, 183 x 304.5 cm

‘Suzy 350’, 1968, oil on board, 121.6 x121.6 cm Winner Sulman Prize 1968