Created while Ian Armstrong was living and working in France, 'The Brolga Legend' carries the particular poignancy of an Australian artist contemplating home from afar. At its centre, a female figure dances - her elongated form and poised gestures suggesting the graceful movements of the brolga, one of Australia's most distinctive birds. The brolga has a rich presence in Aboriginal storytelling and ceremony, with stories in which a dancing woman is transformed into the elegant grey crane whose movements endure in the bird's celebrated dance. Across these traditions, dance becomes a language of memory, connection and transformation.

For Armstrong, "art is a reflection of the artist's own peculiar idea of the world, his own way of thinking and feeling." This sensibility is central to 'The Brolga Legend', where assured draughtsmanship and a sophisticated modernist structure give way to an atmosphere of mystery and reverie. A distinguished member of Melbourne's influential George Bell circle, Armstrong developed a deeply personal form of Australian modernism, and his work is represented in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales and numerous other public institutions.

Lyrical and quietly enigmatic, 'The Brolga Legend' brings together woman, bird, dance and memory in an image that feels universal.

Ian ARMSTRONG (1923 - 2005)
'The Brolga Legend' 1988
etching on paper
Image Size: 30 x 22 cm
Dimensions: 58 x 47 x 2 cm
Signed: Signed, titled, editioned and dated bottom right
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Condition is 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) The Artist or Assignee