This work, Interview, which is a triptych comprised of three panels, features renditions of three chairs from the artist’s studio. It is therefore a still life. The still life genre is the specialist focus of the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery’s collection, with still life painting identified as the first priority in the gallery’s collection policy, Section 2.4.2 (1): “Works in this section reflect still life genre, as per paintings acquired through the Eutick Memorial Still Life Award (EMSLA) as well as through donation, purchase, transfer and bequest.”

John R Walker won the acquisitive EMSLA Award in 2009 with the work Brush Fetish. Interview is therefore an important addition to the gallery’s collection of still life painting. While Walker works across genres, both these still life works feature Walker’s distinctive brushwork and exceptional treatment of the painting surface and are excellent examples of his work.

John R Walker is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists with work in major public, private and corporate collections. He is a regular finalist in the Wynne, Archibald and Sulman Prizes, including the 2017 Wynne Prize. As such, this work by Walker fulfils the gallery’s second priority collection area of “high calibre” Australian art, Section 2.4.2 (2). A donation such as this offers an enrichment of the collection that is difficult for the gallery to attain except through donation.

[Written by Jo Besley, 9 June 2017]

Triptych of chairs, archival oil on polyester. The first panel depicts a green dining chair, the second depicts a black folding chair and the third depicts a red office chair.