Among Australia’s most distinct and celebrated abstractionists, Robert Jacks’ work is equal parts intelligent and mystical. ‘Starry Night’ is a richly coloured linocut, represented in the collection of the British Museum. It pictures a navy terrain and red triangle, within which sits a small purple square. White dots represent the stars, perfectly plotted across the night sky. There is musicality to the configuration, open sky split by perfect red noise.

In 2004, Jacks was commissioned to create a series of etching for the centenary of Bloomsday, an annual festival that celebrates James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’. For Jacks, the brilliance of Joyce lies with his abstraction. Both artist and writer are interested in connecting ideas, reaching across the cosmic and mundane to draw constellations. What you see in them is up to you.

Jacks is the subject of a monograph, represented in most public collections and in 2014, was honoured with a major retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. ‘Starry Night’ will illuminate collections of abstract and minimal art. 
 

Robert JACKS (1943 - 2014)
'Starry Night' 1989
Linocut on paper
Edition of 15
Image Size: 40 x 64 cm
Dimensions: 57 x 77 cm
Signed: Signed, dated and numbered in pencil in margin below image.
Comes with Letter of Provenance

An impression is this work is represented in the collection of the British Museum, accession number: 2006,0730.11

Condition: Excellent

© Robert Jacks / Copyright Agency 2024