Rick Amor is among Australia’s most collectible artists. Best known for his psychologically incisive landscapes and atmospheric scenes of everyday life, Amor found his artistic beginnings in the world of political cartoons, working for several publications including ‘Overland’, where he was on the board until 1998. Working in this industry, Amor created hand-drawn works that were incisively political – sparking conversation, and responding directly, and honestly, to the world around him.

In 1977, Amor was straddling three worlds – politics, fine art and children’s book illustrations. Incensed by Gough Whitlam’s dismissal in 1975, he had become enmeshed in the Australian Labour Party and Trade Union movement, producing portraits of labourers and slaughtermen at work. He also had a portrait of author Joan Lindsay accepted into The Archibald and was earning a living by illustrating educational children’s books, adopting a comic book style to suit his young readers.

‘Untitled (Figures)’ bears traces of these three worlds. Full of vitality and colour, it is a comic book style image of figures fighting, replete with arrows to signal movement. Prisoners loom over the figure in blue, mid-attack. There is an uneasy edge to this work, representative of an artist deeply engaged with the fight.

Amor has been the subject of numerous public exhibitions at the Art Gallery of South Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, Castlemaine Art Gallery and Australian Print Workshop. He is also held in the collections of most major Australian institutions. In 1999, Amor was appointed the official war artist and is the subject of two major monographs. For collectors of works on paper and contemporary art, Amor is a striking find.

Rick AMOR (1948 - )
'Untitled (Figures)' 1977
ink and gouache on paper
Image Size: 42 x 51 cm
Dimensions: 42 x 51 cm
Signed: Signed and dated 'Rick Amor '77' lower right
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition:Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface.

(c) Rick Amor / Copyright Agency