Ian Van Wieringen lived a storied life. He was born in war-stricken Holland in 1943 to a Jewish mother, who at the time was helping smuggle refugees out of Europe. In 1953, the family relocated to Indonesia before moving again in 1975 to Sydney. Here, Van Wieringen studied architecture at Sydney University, helping to form the iconic student newspaper, The Art Wild Oat, alongside Garry Shead, Martin Sharp, John Firth-Smith and others.

When Van Wieringen did decide to study painting, he submerged into Sydney’s art scene. He became a disciple of John Olsen, befriended Susan Peacock and dated Brett Whiteley’s sister, Frannie. At age 30, he returned to Bali to submit to a life of exuberant excess, exhibiting bi-annually in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as Los Angeles and Chicago.

Like all confident artists, Van Wieringen’s line is distinct. He is best known for his expressive portraits of animals, an example of which is ‘Untitled (Cheetahs in the Grass)’, an oozing, vivacious study of the animal’s prowess. In a refined palette, yet unbridled in form, this work moves beneath the eye.

Van Wieringen’s work has been collected by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Queen of Belgium, Sultan of Brunei, Clint Eastwood, Robert Hughes, Richard Branson, and others. Peripatetic yet spiritually drawn to Indonesia, he was a quintessential artist – free-spirited and magnetic.

Ian VAN WIERINGEN (1944 - 2022)
'Untitled (Cheetahs in the Grass)' 1979
screenprint on paper
Edition of 75
Image Size: 64 x 95 cm
Dimensions: 75 x 103 cm
Signed: Editioned, titled, signed and dated bottom margin
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.

© The Artist or Assignee