Every year, modernist Eric Thake would send his friends a hand-made Christmas card. Original linocut prints, these cards have become canonical, each observing a changing nation through one its most distinct voices. They also speak to Thake’s innerworld, with this particular work coming from the collection of his friend, revered writer and curator Ursula Hoff.

Dated 1966, ‘She’s Warm Alright’ sees two figures chew the fat in a darkened pub. A well observed slice of life, it speaks to a modern Australianness – laidback, but watchful. Like a literary satirist, Thake was interested in “an uncommon view of common things,” giving light and curiosity to everyday interactions.

Represented across numerous public collections, including at the British Museum and National Gallery of Australia, ‘She’s Warm Alright’ is a museum-quality work. It speaks to Thake’s remarkable vision, Australian modernism and the friendship between an artist and scholar. With strikingly excellent provenance, it is a prize for collectors of modernist art.

Eric THAKE (1904 - 1982)
'She’s warm alright' 1966
linocut on paper
Image Size: 20 x 15 cm
Dimensions: 20 x 30 cm overall sheet size, scored to fold. 
Signed: Titled lower left; signed and dated lower centre: Eric Thake 1966
Inscribed reverse, ink : To Ursula / With Best Wishes / for Xmas + New Year / from Eric & Grace
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Impressions of this work are represented at the:
British Museum, accession number: 2005,0131.20
Art Gallery of New South Wales, accession number: DA45.1967
National Gallery of Australia, accession number: 72.208
National Gallery of Victoria, accession number: P136-1974
Castlemaine Art Gallery, accession number: G1189

Condition: Excellent

© The Artist or Assignee