installation view 

WED 16 SEPT - SAT 3 OCT 2015

OFFICIAL OPENING: Saturday 19 Sept, 2 - 4pm

All the works in this exhibition have been inspired by the life and work of Australian artist, Sir William Dobell. The idea for this themed exhibition was inspired by the Scott Bevan book “Bill, The Life of William Dobell” and the social art nights “Paint Like.......” held on a Wednesday night at The ART House in New Lambton that gallery owner, Ahn Wells has attended.

Exhibiting artist: Sally Reynolds, Deb Ansell, Julia Flanagan, Cathrine Greive, Sarah Cockroft, Libby Cusick, Susan Ryman, Priya Joy, Val Watson, Miriam Haynes, Terri Brander, Jemma Clifford, Lynette Bridge, Ashley Whamond, Danny Sky, Julie Batts.

Works peel back layers of culture
By JILL STOWELL | Sept. 25, 2015, 10 p.m. | www.theherald.com.au

GALLERY 139 has an exhibition until October 3, taking the great portrait painter William Dobell as theme. Surprisingly, there were many people willing to make pastiche versions of his famous canvases, no doubt a learning experience, while others seek to comment on his life story, notably Susan Ryman's would-be prophetic version of an early self-portrait.

The most successful works are less literal tributes. Sally Reynolds paints the Wangi foreshore with brio. Libby Cusick has a thoughtful portrait of Barb Nanshe. Lynette Bridge has two small bushland studies.

However, no one attempts the old master glazes or the graceful scumbled surfaces we admire from Dobell's originals.

Poem spoken at the opening 

North of Here as the gusty wind blows and the clouds play musical chairs finding their place Dobell and and Dog watch over as a Storm Approaches . . .

The Boy at the Basin looks over his kettle while A Tired Woman watches over the Scribbly Gum by Bills Boat . . . 

Barb in her Domain

A Portrait of William Dobell after winning the Archibald in 43 . . Fresh after the Storm . . . In his Solace . . .

He watches as The Age of Invisibility has passed . . .

Meanwhile the Passing Storm in Wangi portraits Joshua Smith . . . A Relic of The Strapper . . .

Booragul . . The Life of a painter . . The Lady . . Sir William Dobell smiles . . as he paints his dog into the sky.

By Maggie Hall

works below
top row (L- R) Julia Flanagan, Sarah Cockcroft, Jemma Clifford
bottom row (L- R) Danny Sky, Deb Ansell, Terri Brander