Arch Cuthbertson was a passionate advocate for modernism in Australia. Across his lifetime as an artist, he moved between the genres that defined the era – producing cubist, hard-edge, abstract expressionist and figurative works. As one critic observed, his approach to art-making was like old-time jazz – an energetic and fresh jive with form, colour and texture.

‘Untitled (Chance Composition)’ stems from Cuthbertson’s period as a hard-edge abstractionist and is, astonishingly, determined by chance. Following the avant-garde movement of Chance Aesthetics, Cuthbertson painted this work by throwing a dice – each side denoting a different colour or compositional outcome. This submission to randomness, employed by Cuthbertson in a game of chance, was reiterated by artists including Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Jackson Pollock and Ellsworth Kelly, presenting for these artists, a radical revisioning of artistic expression. 

A revered artist, Cuthbertson was also a devoted art educator, closing his pedagogical career as a Senior Lecturer in art at Deakin University. A friend of Leonard French and Roger Kemp, his work is collectable and distinct, represented across public collections including at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Whether you are an existing collector of Cuthbertson, an admirer of hard-edge, minimalist and abstract works, or willing to take a chance, ‘Untitled (Chance Composition)’ is your fate.

Arch CUTHBERTSON (1924 - 2001)
'Untitled (Chance Composition)' c. 1970s
acrylic on canvas
Image Size: 107 x 107 cm
Dimensions: 107 x 107 x 3 cm
Signed: Unsigned
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) The Artist or Assignee