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 Peter Kingston first appeared in Look – the Gallery’s members magazine.
Steven Miller, the Gallery’s head librarian, describes Peter Kingston’s archive, some 30 boxes in all, which the Sydney artist donated to the Gallery’s National Art Archive earlier this year, as 'very rich in letters, journals, photographic albums and objects that not only document Peter’s life, but is also rich in material from his artist friends, such as Martin Sharp and Brett Whiteley', friendships that shine through in his selection of favourite works in the Gallery’s collection.
Kingston, meanwhile, says he was impressed by the broad sweep of what Miller considered 'archival', from favourite books and comics to the saved collars of treasured dogs, something which aided his decision to donate such a trove to a gallery he has visited since childhood. 'On top of all this I’m grateful for the Gallery for always being there,' Kingston says. 'From the sour grapes of the Archibald to the joys of seeing things there that have encouraged me to press onward.'