This monograph, featuring over 120 of his artworks, traces the remarkable career of the painter Richard Maurovic.
Described frequently as a super realist following in the footsteps of Jeffrey Smart, Maurovic has in fact drawn on a wide range of artistic influences from Piero della Francesca to the American Precisionists and Australian Modernist painters. Physically compromised by an accident in his early twenties, he matches his distinctive technique and interests with extraordinary ingenuity in the pursuit of his vision. This is largely one of human activity and its impact on the shaping of both rural and urban environments. He brings the same perception of detail and patterns to his paintings of everyday items, food particularly. As the works in this book suggest, Richard Maurovic revels in explorations of colour and the geometric appeal of his subject matter, be it great or small.
Richard Maurovic is an artist who, while calling up memories and associations with his beloved Adelaide and South Australian countryside, also reminds us of the ubiquitous nature of modern landscape and consumerism, and in doing so connects us across both interstate and international boundaries.
Praise for Richard Maurovic:
'It is stunning, visually arresting and delicately draws the reader in.' - David Kary,
Sydney Arts Guide
'The story of Maurovic’s life, his influences and interests is an engaging read on its own but, coupled with the breathtaking selection of Maurovic’s work, as well as comparative selections of the works of influences Jeffrey Smart and David Dallwitz (among others), this book is a sensory feast ... Wakefield Press have done justice to this important work by Palmer and Watson. More than an addition to a collection of art books or being relegated to the coffee table as a decorating device, this a book any art lover will want to go back to over and over.' - Monica Leahy,
Glam Adelaide
Jennifer Palmer is a retired broadcaster with the ABC Radio National Social History Unit and other radio documentary feature programs. She has been a book and arts reviewer for national newspapers and an interviewer for oral history collections, and has published short stories and edited historical and heritage publications. A guide at the Art Gallery of South Australia for over a decade, she holds Masters degrees in both Educational Philosophy and Australian Literature from the universities of Adelaide and Sydney respectively.
Maggie Watson, an Art History Graduate of the University of Adelaide, holds a Masters in Fine and Decorative Art from the Sotheby's Institute of Art, London, and worked in the Modern British Art department of Christie's London before returning to Australia. As an art consultant she has written catalogue essays for several Australian artists including the catalogue notes for Richard Maurovic's Saatchi exhibition in 2014. Currently working on exhibitions for Museum Victoria she also serves as an arts editor and coordinated the Arts Program for the 2016 Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. She has a commitment to supporting community arts programs and exhibitions that reflect our diverse cultural landscape.
