Brett Whiteley is an icon of Australian art. His work, varied yet always distinctly his, was informed by his travels, the Vietnam War, Sydney, bohemia and Vincent Van Gogh and Francis Bacon.

In exploring these worlds, Whiteley fused the abstract and figurative, creating emotionally heightened worlds of ballooning forms and elongated lines. His imagery is always immediate, reflective of his pursuit for “beauty which can best be described as being on time for the appointment.”

In 'Study for Sculpture', Whiteley creates a sensual drawing of a woman's back, a leaf sitting in the centre, seemingly folded into the curves of her body. This study was created as a commission for Stuart Purves from Australian Galleries, who in 1987 asked artists to create a work based on the inspiration of a gum leaf.

Whiteley’s work is represented across Australian public collections and internationally at the Tate Gallery in London and MoMA in New York. An adjunct of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, his studio has become a permanent public gallery. For collector’s of important Australian art, Whiteley is a prize.

Brett WHITELEY (1939 - 1992)
'Study for Sculpture' 1987
Charcoal, pink wash and gum leaf on paper
Image Size: 39 x 24 cm
Signed: Signed, dated and inscribed lower right: 'study for sculpture, 20/12/87 / brett whiteley,' stamped lower right with artist's monogram

Comes with Letter of Provenance

Published: Sutherland, K., Brett Whiteley: Catalogue Raisonne, Schwartz Publishing, Melbourne, 2020, Volume 7, page 690., cat. 36.87.This drawing derives from a commission by Stuart Purves of Australian Galleries who asked artists to create a work based on the inspiration of a gum leaf. Related work: Study for Sculpture 1987 (cat. 37.87), Wendy Whiteley/Copyright Agency, 2025

Condition: excellent

(c) Brett Whiteley / Copyright Agency