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 (Refracting Squares)’ stems from Cuthbertson’s period as a hard-edge abstractionist. It is a kaleidoscopic and enigmatic work, shards of orange, red, green and purple crystallizing around two white squares that cannot help but evoke a window into another dimension. With all the elegance of 1970s minimalism, ‘Untitled (Refracting Squares)’ recalls the avant-garde movements of geometric abstraction and hard-edge painting.

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 an admirer of hard-edge, minimalist and abstract works, ‘Untitled (Refracting Squares)’ is a striking find.

Arch CUTHBERTSON (1924 - 2001)
'Untitled (Refracting Squares)' c. 1970s
acrylic on canvas
Image Size: 122 x 123 cm
Dimensions: 122 x 123 x 3 cm
 
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