In The art that made me, artists discuss works in the Art Gallery of NSW collection that either inspire, influence or simply delight them. This selection by Tom Carment first appeared in Look – the Gallery’s members magazine.
My taste has changed over time. I remember, as a child, being really upset by the 19th-century painting of the two brothers on a raft, set adrift, their Achilles tendons cut [The sons of Clovis II 1880 by Évariste Luminais]. These days I find that picture sentimental, and look at it, unmoved.
I have been visiting the Art Gallery of NSW regularly since I was a teenager. No other place has had a bigger influence on my art education. In choosing works from the collection, I have not picked pictures that are necessarily the 'greatest' or most important in the collection, but the ones which speak to me in a personal way.
As an artist who spends a lot of time doing watercolours and drawing, I have chosen some of my pictures from the Gallery’s collection of works on paper. They are only sometimes on general display, but the staff are very happy to show works to the interested public in the study room on lower level 2. You need to ring and make an appointment.