Brett Whiteley Chapters 1959–69
![A bird flies over waves with a distant full moon](https://www.datocms-assets.com/42890/1704779116-8-1979detail.jpg?fit=max&iptc=allow&w=2000)
Brett Whiteley The pink heron 1969 (detail), Art Gallery of New South Wales © Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency
Presents works made by Brett Whiteley between the ages of 20 and 30 during an intensive period of travel and artistic experimentation
Brett Whiteley Chapters 1959–69
Brett Whiteley Studio, Surry Hills
Free
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Studio open Thursday–Sunday only
For this renowned Australian artist, the decade from 1959 was one of the most significant chapters in his life, beginning in November of that year when he was awarded a scholarship which gave him the opportunity to travel internationally.
Aside from a stint in Australia over the summer of 1965–66, Whiteley and his wife Wendy lived and worked overseas for most of this time, based mainly in London from 1960 to 1967 and in New York City from 1967 to 1969. They travelled extensively through Europe, visiting museums and galleries, as well as making trips to India in 1966 and Morocco in 1967.
Encounters with people, landscapes, art and music, along with the political and social atmosphere of the time, were the conduits through which Whiteley engaged with the world and developed his art.
This exhibition includes works that have not been on public display since the 1970s.
![An urban landscape painting with terrace buildings and a sign that says 'Markets parking area 3'-5''](https://www.datocms-assets.com/42890/1688622197-bws37-mm.jpg?fit=max&h=540&iptc=allow&max-w=1024)
Brett Whiteley Dixon Street 1959, Brett Whiteley Studio collection © Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency
![A stylised painting of two giraffes on a yellow background](https://www.datocms-assets.com/42890/1688622409-bws846-a-b-mm.jpg?fit=max&h=540&iptc=allow&max-w=1024)
Brett Whiteley Two giraffes no 1 1965, Brett Whiteley Studio collection © Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency
![A multi-panelled painting of bushland with a rear view of a nude child at bottom right](https://www.datocms-assets.com/42890/1688622508-350-1998-a-c-mm.jpg?fit=max&h=540&iptc=allow&max-w=1024)
Brett Whiteley The bush 1966, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency