Arch Cuthbertson was a passionate advocate for Australian modernism. Across his fruitful career, he worked between cubism, hard-edge and abstract expressionism, producing imagery that was in conversation with art at large. As one critic observed, his approach to art-making was like old-time jazz – an energetic and fresh jive with form, colour and texture.

In ‘Untitled (Profile),’ Cuthbertson’s distinct approach to form and line is on full display. The striking side profile of a figure emerges from the chaos of a textured, scribbled background. Loose, energetic brushstrokes and the interplay of light and dark bring the figure to life, igniting the imagination. Rough, jagged lines define key details—facial features, an arm, and a mysterious object, perhaps a newspaper—each stroke infused with raw intensity. The ambiguity of the figure draws the viewer deeper into the scene, making the work both a visual and intellectual experience, challenging the boundaries between abstraction and figuration.

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 or a fellow admirer of modernism, this is a joyful example of the artists figurative work.

Arch CUTHBERTSON (1924 - 2001)
'Untitled (Profile)'
acrylic on paper
Image Size: 100 x 72 cm
Dimensions: 100 x 72 cm
Signed: Cuthbertson centre right
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Good: Describes the average used work of art, where the image is in good condition. Some tears to margin, however able to be concealed with artful framing and part of its wabi sabi charm

(c) The Artist or Assignee