In this petite portrait, Anne Marie Hall paints an enigmatic figure. Her face is stretched wide, painted in slashes of teal, plum and gold, her eyes glow in a manner reminiscent of fellow Heide artist Joy Hester. For Hester, when made big, plump or strange, eyes could command an uneasy intimacy with the viewer. They are at once the window to the soul and apexes of anxiety – a compelling dichotomy that Hall captures in ‘Untitled (Keen Eyes)’. Who are we under pressure?

Like Hester and Mirka Mora, Hall forged a compelling female voice in the otherwise male dominated realm of Australian modernism. That her practice was at times overshadowed by her marriage to John Perceval is a testament to the era’s issues with gender parity. Now however, described at the last Antipodean Expressionist by critic Jeff Makin, and collected by The National Gallery of Australia, the Ian Potter Museum and Geelong Gallery, her absence is being redressed.

‘Untitled (Keen Eyes)’ is a beautiful and recognisably modern work, a jewel for collections of portraits, modernist art and female artists. If it catches your eye, strike soon.

Anne Marie HALL (1945 - )
'Untitled (Keen Eyes)' 1966
oil on board
Image Size: 23 x 17 cm
Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 4 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

DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
While the photographs capture this portrait accurately, the work is even more stunning in person. If you can, viewing in the gallery is encouraged!