{"product_id":"two-zebra-finch","title":"Two Zebra Finch","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eOil paint on stretched canvas, 101 x 76 x2cm \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJohn Graham’s paintings are best understood as a \u003cstrong\u003emeeting point between Australian landscape painting, animal imagery and expressionism\u003c\/strong\u003e. His work isn't primarily concerned with reproducing nature exactly as it appears; instead, he simplifies and exaggerates it to create a distinctive visual world.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGraham's own website divides his canvas work into several periods, including \u003cstrong\u003eElemental Landscapes (2006), Transitional Landscapes (2007), animal series such as Cats and Lions, and later Expressionist Landscapes (2017)\u003c\/strong\u003e. His exhibition history also shows a sustained interest in birds and landscapes, including \u003cem\u003eBirds and Landscapes\u003c\/em\u003e (2012), \u003cem\u003eBirds\u003c\/em\u003e (2013), \u003cem\u003eOn the Wing\u003c\/em\u003e (2009), a nd \u003cem\u003eWild at Heart\u003c\/em\u003e (2009). \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe painting you showed\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting with the \u003cstrong\u003etwo flying birds over the yellow Australian landscape and blue rocks\u003c\/strong\u003e is particularly interesting because it brings together several of those recurring Graham characteristics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e is probably its most immediately striking feature. The ochre\/yellow landscape is interrupted by unusually intense blue rocks. Rather than trying to make the landscape photographically realistic, Graham uses colour almost emotionally. The blue becomes a visual counterpoint to the warm Australian earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ebirds are highly stylised\u003c\/strong\u003e. Their bodies are reduced to strong shapes and patterns, almost halfway between painting and illustration. They don't behave like conventional natural-history paintings of birds. They become graphic symbols moving across the enormous space of the landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is important in relation to Graham's career because \u003cstrong\u003eanimals and landscapes are not separate subjects for him\u003c\/strong\u003e. His exhibition history shows the two repeatedly coming together. \u003cem\u003eBirds and Landscapes\u003c\/em\u003e in 2012 is an especially direct precedent for the work you have shown. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Graham Original Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46485553053882,"sku":"002","price":2100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/5445\/1289\/files\/d1O61s3bV7.jpg?v=1787790832","url":"https:\/\/www.gioia.com.au\/products\/two-zebra-finch","provider":"Gioia Wall Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}