CreatorJoe FurlongerTitleUntitled (Heide and Max)Date1988MediumOil on canvasDimensionsH. 1270mm x W. 950mmAccession NumberG2021.3.1Credit LineDonated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Philip Theobald in memory of Bronwyn and Stephanie TheobaldAccess AdviceFor research purposes only. No reproduction without permission of Yarrila Arts and Museum.
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Significance Statement
Joe Furlonger won the prestigious Moet et Chandon Prize in 1988 which included twelve months residency at the Moet et Chandon Villa in France.
This picture is of Joe's wife Heidi and their son Max. There is a glimpse of the French countryside behind the figures. To me this is another version of the religious mother and child pictures but in this one the glorious exuberance of the mother presenting her child to the world contrasts with the many meek Madonnas seen in so many museums.
This is a strong exuberant mother saying to the world 'isn't motherhood amazing and aren't I clever producing this son'.
Obviously the artist father agrees. (Philip Theobald — 2021)
Description
Painting of two figures, facing each other. The first figure in the foreground has its back to the viewer, and is naked. This figure’s arms are raised in the air, with their right arm and legs below their buttocks out of view. Their head is turned over their left should, where their gaze follows. The second figure is behind the first, in the mid ground, and is mostly covered by the first. A cityscape is in the background.
The painting is in an abstract/cubist style with gestural mark making, minimal detail and lots of layers.
